106 PROCEEDINGS COTTESWOLD CLUB 1903 
to the roots of the Wild Thyme, but in its habitat was 
found growing on several plants, such as the Lesser 
Burnet, Cinque-foil, and Rock-rose, as well as on grass. 
flyoscyamus niger (Common Henbane) attracted some 
attention, as its large viscid leaves were covered with 
small flies. The plant is one which grows in barren 
stony soil, where decaying vegetable matter is not too 
abundant. The plant possibly derives a certain amount of 
nourishment from the flies, but it would be comparatively 
little; and the question is whether the hairs are in a state 
of development, or are degraded from a higher stage of 
usefulness. 
A large series of Orvchts latifolia and Orchis maculata 
was also seen, with every stage and variety of hybrids 
between the two taken from different parts of the county. 
In some cases the flower in colour, and the foliage were 
those of Orchis maculata; but the spike was three inches 
long of cylindrical shape, like that of Ovchzs datifola, 
and the sepals were nearly the length of those of that 
species. In other cases the orchid retained the colour, 
or the unspotted leaves of Orvchzs latifolia, but had lost the 
length of the sepals. 
In connection with these Orchids, the most interesting 
series of which had come from Sevenhampton Common, 
and in connection with the visit of Members of the Club 
to the Common in June 1899, of which visit no account 
was given, a few notes may be appropriate. During 
rambles through Oxfordshire, Berkshire, and Buckingham- 
shire, in the course of preparing my works on the Flora 
of those Counties, I have had opportunities of seeing 
whatever small marshes there are of similar character to 
the one on this Common; and a comparison will be in- 
structive. This- marsh is situate on and its presence is 
due to the Fullers’ Earth, which here comes to the surface 
from under the Great Oolite, and causes the springs and 
wet ground at a height of 800 feet, amid the stony and 
