194 



So Goodrich Castle was parsed, and the boats slipped on down the 

 beautiful river, now disturbing the sandpiper (Totanus hypoleucosj. which 

 flew off wildly with its piping cry, and now the moorhen or the water vole, 

 which, however, bore the interruption much more philosophically. It was 

 pleasant to see so many king&shers ihne ( Alcedo ispidaj flying rapidly away 

 in a straight line, their br illiant blue feathers contrasting well with the masses 

 of coloured flowers on the basks. There was also observed a single water 

 ouzel (Oinclus aquaticus) with its white breast as it flew by in a straight line 

 to settle again on a rock at some distance. It had doubtless left its mountain 

 streams for a visit to the kingfishers on the greater river. 



Speaking of fishers, it may be observed that in two or three places 

 below Lydbrook walls were built out into the river, in such a manner as to 

 render the escape of the poor salmon up the river a matter of great diffi- 

 culty when the nets which were hanging out to dry were in constant use. 

 It is to be hoped that the Wye Preservation Association will look a little 

 more closely into this matter. It is but a very short time since the existence 

 of these walls was actually denied. 



The wild flowers on the banks were in great perfection, and they form one 

 of the attractions of the Wye. No one could fail to be struck with the abun- 

 dance of the tansy (Tenacetum vulgare), with its dense heads of golden flowers, 

 contrasting so well with the large spiked clusters of the purple loose-strife 

 (Lythrum salicaria), and so well relieved by the dense white masses of the 

 common yarrow or milfoil (Achillea millefolium.), or the still more pure white 

 heads of the sneeze- wort or goose-tongue (Achillea Ptarmica), which, although 

 by no means a common plant, is abundant on the Wye. In several places, 

 a large cluster of the soapwort (Saponaria officinalis) was beautifully in flower, 

 and its conspicuous pale rose-coloured blossoms could not fail to attract 

 attention. This is a very local plant, but it was observed to be growing freely 

 in four or five places. Then there was the great yellow loose-strife (Lyaimachia 

 vulgaris), so clear and distinct in its colour, always an interesting plant, and 

 very rare in more northern counties. This plant owes its name to its sup- 

 posed power of destroying noxious insects, and even taming wild beasts — 

 Yellow Lysimachus. to give sweet rest, 

 To the faint shepherd, killing, where it cornea, 

 All busy gnats, and every fly that hums. 



— Collins. 



And this idea seems to account for the Roman notion that " these flowers put 



under the yokes of oxen kept them from quarrelling with each other." 



Another pretty plant also deserves especial notice, the flowering rush (Butomus 



umbellatus), which appeared very plentiful in many places down the river. 



Her rosy umbels rears the flowering rush, 

 While with reflected charms the waters blush. 



It is very ornamental, and might be grown much more frequently than it is 

 in the ponds or small pieces of water in pleasure grounds. Mention must also 

 be made of the abundance of meadow-sweet, and the handsome reed-bed» 



