52 NOTES ON A SALT-MARSH AT BRANSTON. 
Branston was first recorded by the late Mr. Edwin Brown, with 
the exception of Samolus Valerandi, which we discovered there 
in 1889. TZriglochin maritimum, the Sea Arrow-grass, was also 
noted by the same observer; but this observation we have been 
unable to confirm, in spite of very careful search, and we can 
only imagine that the plant has now become extinct. It is an 
undoubted maritime plant. 
The following detailed account of our investigations of the salt 
marsh will be rendered more intelligible by the map which 
accompanies this paper, and which shows the position of each 
pond and ditch mentioned. The dotted line upon it indicates the 
boundary within which, we believe, the outcrop of saline water is 
confined. The analytical results quoted are all expressed as parts 
per 100,000 of the water. 
The village of Branston is immediately skirted on its southern 
side by an osier bed, which, on examination, was proved to 
contain no maritime plants whatever; but on the banks of a ditch 
running along its southern edge, Rumex maritimus was growing 
freely in the autumn of 1888. It has since, however, entirely 
disappeared. 
The ballast pits to the north-west of the Midland Railway 
contain Scirpus maritimus in abundance in places, showing 
conclusively the salinity of the water. 
The adjacent watercourse, known as the Tatenhill brook, 
is devoid of any trace of maritime plants, but between the 
railway and the river occur a series of ponds, in most of which 
evidence is not wanting as to the saline character of the 
water. 
In Pond No. I., Scixpus marttimus was found growing, and 
analysis of the water confirmed this evidence, showing that it con- 
tained 15.3 parts of chlorine. 
Pond No. II., which drains into the former one, lies with it 
in the remains of what has apparently been at some time a 
watercourse. Its maritime flora consists of Scizpus maritimus 
and Zabernemontant, and its water has a faint brackish taste. 
An analysis in August 1889, gave 224 parts of chlorine, and total 
