99 



For the following notes on 



THE BOTANY OF MITOHELDEAN DISTEICT 



we are indebted to the Rev. Augcstin Let. 



The most remarkable flowering plants and mosses of Mitcheldean Meend, seen 

 or searched for by the Club on this day's date were the following : — 



Ascending the hill from the station, just within Herefordshire, the rare 

 Umbellifer Myrrhis odorata was found. On the wooded conglomerate rocks 

 several rare mosses are known; Plagiothecium elegans and Dicranuvi fuscescens ; 

 one of the damp rocks was covered with Racomitrium fasciculare. In the hollows 

 of sandpits, among the conglomerate, are the only stations in the neighbourhood 

 or county for the beautiful Cave moss Schislostega osmundacea. The broken lime- 

 stone ground on the summit produced the rare Tortula recurvifolia — while on clay 

 at Silverstone farm the Tortula cavifolia — still rarer in Herefordshire — has been 

 found. The shady rocks of the old deserted workings were covered with two 

 other curious Tortulas — tortuosa and sinuosa ; and the minute Fissidens — very rare 

 in the neighbouihood — Fissidens pusillua. Another Fisnidens was fruiting there 

 freely — F. decipiens. The shady rocks near the mouth of the tunnel produce a 

 rare grass — Festuca sylvatica, but it was too early in the year to see it. 



The flat surface of the Meend about Wigpool pit rejoices in many rare 

 plants. Senecio — probably viscosus — whs picked in one of the sand pits ; in which 

 also the rare Dicranum subulattim has been detected. In the damper spots the 

 elegant little Willow, growing about half a foot in height, Salix repcns, is 

 abundant, and was flowering and fruiting freely. Here, also, in several spots 

 grows the very rare and local violet, Vutla lactea — not the showy and well-known 

 mountain Pansy, Viola lutea, but a much more rare and less handsome plant. It 

 was searched for, however, in vain, owing to the lateness of the season. Several 

 patches of genuine bog still remain, which support the two Sundews, Drosera 

 rotundifolia and intermedia, the latter in greatest plenty ; also the handsome 

 Scottish Asphodel, Narthecium ossifraguvi. 



The two heaths. Erica telralix and cinei-ea, are both abundant, and the 

 Whortle-berry, Vacnnium Myrtillus. The Club-moss, Lycopodiuia clavatum, is 

 very rare here, but has been found by Dr. Serancke. A pretty little variety of 

 the common Dandelion, Taraxacum Icevigatuni , was abundant, in full flower. The 

 Juniper, which might be expected to grow here, seems to be quite absent. Several 

 interesting mosses occur in the pieces of bog : the two Apple-mosses, Philonotis 

 fontana and calcarea, were both found, also Fissidens adiantoides. Three, or 

 perhaps four species of Bog-moss (Sphagnum) grow here ; 5. acutifolium and 

 Cymbifolium compactum, and subsecundum in at least four states, the type, well 

 marked contortum and turgidum, and a very large form in watery ditches, 

 which is said to be unique. A portion of the surface of the hill was planted with 

 fir and oak some twenty or thirty years ago, and in these plantations and^their 

 outskirts several rare Brambles are found. Bubus Assus and plicatus are abundant. 



