141 



no wax-work of the deftest lady's hand can rival. I have not 

 often seen its fruit in a ripened state. V. myrtillus: is more 

 common, and better known than either of the preceding. Arctos- 

 taphylos uva-ursi : some of my predecessors in botanical research 

 have recorded the presence of this plant in that part of Martindale 

 parish known as Dalehead. Rev. W. Richardson, formerly vicar 

 of Dacre, a gentleman largely responsible for the local catalogue 

 of British plants contained in " Hutchinson's History of Cumber- 

 land," found it there — where it probably still exists, though I 

 cannot personally vouch for the fact. Urica ietralix : in many parts 

 of the district, on moist heathy ground, the delicate blush-tinted 

 flowers of this species may be noted in July. It occurs above 

 Sharrow-bay, in Bannerdale Bottoms, and elsewhere, being more 

 local than the two following species. U. cinerea: a taller and 

 more robust plant than the last, having three instead of /our leaves 

 in a whorl, and lovely spikes of brilliant purple-coloured flowers. 

 This is the heath that fringes the rocks about Stybarrow, Glen- 

 ridding Screes, and other rugged precipitous ground. Probably 

 the finest I ever saw grew in Ennerdale. Calluna vulgaris : the 

 most abundant member of the family, found everywhere on 

 mountainous heaths; once largely in use for making besoms. 

 Superior flavoured honey is said to be collected from its flowers by 

 bees, and cottagers in the S.W. of Cumberland frequently carry 

 their hives a considerable distance from their place of abode in 

 order to station them in a favourable locality among the hills 

 during the ling-flowering season. Pyrola minor : on the authority 

 of Hutchinson said to grow near the foot of the avenue leading to 

 Dunmallet ; where, however, it has escaped my observation. My 

 search has been far from exhaustive, and I yet hope to establish 

 the fact of its existence there. I have seen the plant years ago in 

 Flimby Wood. 



The next order, J^sminace^e, includes only the Common Ash 

 and the Privet, on which it is unnecessary to dwell. 



ApocYNACEiG. Is Only represented by Vinca minor, which 

 appears only in gardens, or in places where its escape from culti- 

 vation is manifest. 



