282 PLANTS EXCLUDED. 



In profusion on rubbish heaps at the foot of the milewater ; W, Mille)i. 



This was one of the most abundant and persistent of the remarkable 

 colony of aliens which came up when the Ballymena railway was con- 

 structed in 1847. It was the last survivor of the group, and in defiance 

 of all changes and disturbance held its place, and flourished for nearly 

 forty years, and only disappeared when the site it occupied was recently 

 built over. It is also singular that it failed to spread beyond its original 

 bounds, although there are habitats quite as suitable in the immediate 

 vicinity. 



88. Senecio saracenlcus Linn. 



Ruins of Dunluce Castle ; Templeton. Banks of a ditch at Kilkeel ; 

 Ir. Flor. Balloch ; Co. Down ; Flor. Ulst., Supp. By a stream near 

 Cushendall coastguard station ; Dr. J. S. Holden. In the last named 

 locality ; S.A.6., who was informed by old people on the spot that it was 

 not planted, but " always grew there." 



No doubt originally planted not far from the present stations. 



89. Carduus nutans Linn. Musk Thistle. 



Railway bank two miles from Carrickfergus ; Flor. TIM. A single 

 plant by the Drumgavna River in the parish of Balteagh, Co. Derry ; 

 D.M. 



The Antrim plant was a casual that appeared soon after construction 

 of the railway. The Derry plant was, no doubt, a fleeting waif not seen 

 again. 



90. Silybum IVIarianum Gaert. Milkthistle. 



"West of Lisburn, and at the Cui-ran of Larne ; Templeton. Magilligan ; 

 Samp^ s. Siirv. Derry. Ram's Island ; F. Whitla. Ballynascreen ; D.M. 

 Between Newtownards and Greyabbey, and between Lame and Bally- 

 clare ; Flor. Ulst., Supp. Portbradden, Toomebridge, and three miles 

 south of Toome ; S.A.S. Magheramorne, and Glendun ; R.Ll.P. 



Now growing spontaneously in these and other places, but always 

 having a garden origin. 



91. Tragopogron porrifolius Linn. Salsify. 



Railway banks at Sydenham ; Flor. Belf. Churchyard at Glenarm ; 

 Flor. Ulst., Supp. Abundant on railway banks from Whitehouse to 

 Macedon; S.A.S., 1873. In plenty at Knock station; T.H.C., 1880. 

 Railway bank at Marino ; R.Ll.P., 1886. 



An erratic plant with a decided preference for railway tracks, appearing 

 occasionally, as shown above, on all the Belfast lines. It is also very 

 capricious in the times of its appearance, there being intervals of years 

 when it would seem to have left, or to be leaving its old haunts entirely. 

 It reappears suddenly, however, either at the old spot, or in new ground. 



