The Elecampane (Inula Hclcnium) with its soft downy leaves, two feet long, 

 and its large sunflower blossoms. The Henbane (Hi/osciiamus nifjcr) scarce and 

 uncertain in its growth. The mother's wort, or as it is called by the villagers 

 "the Hand of QoA" (Leonurus Cardiaca) a plant held in great veneration by 

 some. The colchicum, valerian, and gentian and many others. The Valeriana 

 rubra is very fine on the Chepstow rocks, where a white variety also occurs. 



And now, as we have pretty well explored the woods, let us take a peep at 

 some of the projecting ledges of limestone rock, and we shall find in very early 

 spring the Carex clamlestina, montana, and diyitata, and the Hutchinsia petroea or 

 rock cress, all very scarce plants. Later on, the pretty little dropwort (Spircea 

 filipendula), the rock rose (Cistus Hclianthemum) and a profusion of Geranium 

 sanffuincum, sometimes quite a sijlendid sight as also the horse-shoe vetch 

 (Hippocrcpis comosaj. 



Water plants are perhaps not quite so numerous as some other kinds, from the 

 comparative absence of bogs and wet places. We can boast, however, of a pretty 

 large variety. The arrow head, and flowering rush, are both found in the Wye, 

 and on its banks. 



The celery (Apium graveolens), meadow rue ( Thalictrum flavum,), the 

 purple loose strife (Liithrwn salicaria), the yellow ditto ( Lysimachia vulgaris), 

 the large Campanula latifolia ; also C. patula and Rapunculus. 



We have also the bog bean, bog asphodel, sun dews, butter wort, mare's 

 tail (Hippuris vulgaris), cotton grass (three species), equisetum, and chara, &c. 

 Also a considerable number of maritime plants on the tidal banks of the river, 

 which are scarcely worth mentioning. We must not, however, forget one relic of 

 monkish times, found in the meadows near Tintern Abbey. The purple goat's 

 beard, or "Go to bed at noon" (Tragopogon porrifolius), so called from its 

 shutting up after mid-day. 



Without attempting to give a list of the wild birds, which find their home 

 in these woods and rocks, I may mention that although the railway and game- 

 keepers have frightened away or destroyed many of the rarer species, a pair of 

 ravens still occasionally appear. They used to build on top of a precipitous re ck. 

 Two years ago I saw at one time no less than five large buzzards sailing in circles at 

 a great height, uttering their loud and peculiar scream. The salmon kite, however, 

 is now very rarely seen. Herons, king-fishers, and nightingales still however 

 frequent the valley. The entomologist will find a rich harvest of rare butterflies, 

 moths, beetles, and other insects. Last year a cottager was somewhat alarmed 

 by the appearance of a stag-beetle, and thought he had discovered the true 

 ' Colorado." 



About three-quarters of a mile down the river from New Weir and Symonds 

 Yat Station, on the right bank of the river, is the "Dripping Well," possessing 

 petrifying properties similar to that at Knaresborough, in Yorkshire — there called 

 the " Dropping Well." Here a considerable body of water is constantly trickling 



