42 



as that with which I am almost exehisively familiar. With the plants of this portion 

 I am likewise best acquainted ; and through the assistance of various botanical 

 friends, my list of them now amounts to nearly 700. 



The whole number of species which I know on good authority to grow within 

 the countj' limits is under 700 (693). And the natural orders most fully repre- 

 sented by species are Compositse, Gramineie, Cyperacese, Rosaceae, Leguminosae, 

 Lamiaceae, Scrophulariaceae, Cruciferie, Umbelliferfe, Caryophyllacese. and Ranun- 

 culacese, mentioned in the order of their numbers. 



The whole flora of Britain, excluding all Cryptogamous plants, except the 

 ferns and their allies, amounts to 1,400 or 1,500. It is impossible to name an exact 

 number, because of the conflicting opinions on the limits of species ; and the 

 number of these growing in single counties usually amounts to from 700 to 900. 

 Shropshire produces 876, or more ; Surrey about 800 ; and Hertfordshire 900, or 

 nearly. Hence, making all allowances for unlike conditions of soil and 

 situation, it is impossible not to believe that m.any Herefordshire species remain 

 undetected ; and now that good botanists seem to rise up in unexpected quarters 

 of the county, we hope that these lurkers will shortly be drawn from their con- 

 cealment. To those who may be willing to help in working out a local Flora, I 

 shall be glad, by private correspondence, to communicate matters of detail, which 

 it would be tedious to dwell on after talcing up so much of your time. Permit 

 me, however, to mention some of the general heads of inquiry. 



First, lists of species. The exact mode of inquiry at which we should aim 

 requires not merely a general list for the county, but for smaller tracts of country. 

 Such districts .should include about 50 square miles. I am engaged in dividing 

 Herefordshire into such a series as seems most suitable ; and I shall be exceedingly 

 glad of help in those which lie in the northern half of the county. 



Besides an exact catalogue of every plant occurring in each of these districts, 

 with special localities for the rarer ones, it will be of great value to note carefully 

 the times of flowering — commencement, greatest perfection, and duration — in the 

 various species ; also any reasons for concluding plants to have been introduced 

 by the agency of man. And, in connection with this point, it is often of great 

 service to learn the date at which woods were planted. The character of the 

 timber, for example, the relative frequency of the two or three kinds of British 

 oak, and their economical value, would also form an interesting subject of 

 enquiry. 



Secondly, a correct series of meteorological observations taken in different 

 parts of the county, particularly towards the N.E. and S. W. points. But, to 

 render these comparable amongst themselves and with others, it is needful that 

 they should be taken with properly adjusted instruments, and according to the 

 form recommended by the Meteorological Society. 



Thirdly, the relation of species to the various soils. In this direction it is 

 that the investigations of small tracts of country — whether counties or smaller 

 divisions— is most likely to subserve the interests of geographical botany. The 

 question is as yet ill understood, and, moreover, much too wide to enter on here. 



