87 



We have also a fair sprinkling of orcliids. The fly, frog, and bee orchids are 

 abundant in some years, while in others scarcely to be met with. 



The butterfly and bird's nest orchids are generally very plentiful. The true 

 O. Bifolia, however, is only found in a place or two, as likewise the pretty little 

 lady's tresses (Spiranthes autumnulis). The Hellchorines, Cephalanthera, ensifolia, 

 and grandiflora, and Epipactis ovalis are quite rare, and found only occasionally. 



As an illustration of the curious way in which orchidaceous plants spring up 

 suddenly in fresh spots, we may mention the finding near Bromyard a few years 

 ago of the Epiipjoijon aphyllum, which has never before or since been gathered in 

 Britain. 



In addition to the above we may include the aromatic Orchis conopsea, the 

 T&re pyramidalis with its beautiful close crimson spike, also Orchis fusca, ustulaia, 

 and latifolia. One other scarce plant may be noticed as growing very sparingly in 

 one spot, on a very thick part of the woods, the Cynoglossom montanum or wood 

 hound's-tongue, the other species being particularly common. 



About 27 species of ferns (not including the minor varieties,) are to be found 

 round Ross, that is, if we extend the boundary as far as the Black Mountain, 

 where the Asplenium viride and Aspidium Thelypteris are both found. 



The Royal fern, Osmunda regalis, however, can scarcely be said to grow now, 

 as it appears to have become extinct, one lady in her zeal (as it is reported) having 

 sent a wagon to transplant it to her fernery. 



FragUis was plentiful a few years since on the ColdweU Rock, but is now 

 nearly gone. Rohertianum or Calcareum, the limestone polypody, is still abundant, 

 although a very good locality has been temporarily destroyed by railway quarrying. 



The sweet scented Lastrea mmula has hitherto only been found very 

 scantily growing under the base of a rock. The adder's tongue and moon wort 

 botli grow near us. The "oak " fern is plentiful on the borders of the Forest of 

 Dean, but the "beech "fern is much more rare. Perliaps in few places do the 

 " hart's " tongue and other commoner ferns grow in greater profusion or strength 

 than in our woods. Several rare grasses are met with such as the Bronius crectus, 

 Melica nutans, Hordeum salvaticum, Alopecurus fulvus, Bromus sccalimcs and 

 velutinus, Brachypodium pinnatum, Calamagrostis Epigeios or the wood smallreed, 

 &c., &c. The " drunken darnel," as it used to be called (Lolium temulentum), the 

 only poisonous grass in England, sometimes comes up in the rectory glebe near 

 Ross. 



We have also the Gagca lutea, or yellow star of Bethlehem, apparently 

 wild ; the other species Ornithogalum nutans umbellatum, being apparently garden 

 escapes. The evergreen alkanet (Anchusa sempcrvirens) with its intensely blue 

 flowers, and the Deptford pink (Dianthus armeria), are both good plants. Then 

 of plants used for medical lourposes, in addition to some before named, we have 

 the Digitalis in profusion. The deadly nightshade (Atropa belladonna) with its 

 potato-Uke haulm, its dull purple flowers and black currant-like fruit. 



