Proceedings. 21 



Mr. C. E. Salmon read a paper entitled "Eambles round 

 Folkestone in June in pursuit of Natural History ": — 



Centranthus ruber was seen abundantly on the steep cuttings 

 in the chalk between Orpington and Chelsfield, but doubtfully 

 wild. On the Lees at Folkestone were found Medicago macu- 

 lata, Carduus tenuiflorus, and Vicia bithynica /3. angustifolia , 

 the last-named plant being abundant, but chiefly in seed. A 

 few of its beautiful purple flowers were discovered. 



On the Lees were also found Apiiim graveolens, Samuliis 

 Valerandi, Lepidium Draba, Seduiii album, Mercurialis annua, 

 and Iris fcetidissima, the latter having the smell of roast 

 beef, and by its scent attracting flies, which have been known 

 to lay eggs on the plant. 



Along the undercliff which extends from Folkestone to Dover, 

 Hippojjhae rhamnoides (Sea Buckthorn) was found. Linum an- 

 gustifoUuin and Ranunculus trichophyllus were met with, as 

 well as Lithospervium officinale, Parietaria diffusa, and Rubia 

 peregrina : the last named was in great abundance. Viper's 

 Bugloss with pure white blossoms was also seen, and 

 thousands of spikes of the normal colour. 



The Nottingham Catch-fly [Silene nutans) was found on 

 ascending the cliff. This plant is interesting on account of 

 the faded condition of its petals during the daytime, but they 

 expand as evening approaches. Silene nutans has a fine 

 scent from about 8 o'clock in the evening until about 3 o'clock 

 in the morning, and by its scent attracts many winged insects 

 which feed on the honey at the base of the petals, and thus 

 cross-fertilize the plant. The insects visiting the flower are 

 chiefly those which fly in the evening and at night. 



Lathgrus Nissolia was fairly plentiful, and near Dover Diplo- 

 taxis tenuifolia was one of the most conspicuous and abundant 

 of the cliff plants. 



On the grassy level at the foot of the cliffs where the 

 Channel Tunnel operations are being carried on, Rubia pere- 

 grina was again found in abundance, and Orobanche amethystea 

 more sparingly ; all the specimens we came across were 

 apparently parasitical on Anthyliis vulneraria. 0. Caryo- 

 phyllacea was in fair quantity, but the plant was in seed. 



