84 
The ponds and mosses just named look pale and insignificant, 
however, when compared with the floral grandeur of Church Moss, 
Beckermet. On one side we have the Nightshade, Solanum 
dulcamara, growing in profusion. In another part the Petty Whin 
flourishes. It is now a rare plant in West Cumberland, owing to 
the gradual improvement of land by the drainage of mosses. 
Luxuriant plants of Loose-strife are abundant, with their rich 
clusters of red flowers ; and the tall Narrow-leaved Willow Herb, 
Epilobium augustifolium, towers to a height of four or five feet, 
rivalling in beauty our most treasured garden flowers. 
In thus glancing over the general characteristics of the West 
Cumberland Flora, many rare and interesting species are necessarily 
passed over unnoticed. 
The subject is full of interest ; there is a large field open for 
observation and exploration, which will require the united strength 
of all the local societies to thoroughly investigate. 
The members of the Whitehaven Botanical Section would be 
glad to see the members of the affiliated societies take up the 
subject of Field Botany in their own districts, and co-operate in 
the publication of a complete County Flora. 
