THE FLORA OF HANTS 113 



again, beyond the New Forest, the lon^^ reaches of 

 mudland on each side of Southampton Water, covered 

 with the stout American cord-grass, unknown else- 

 where in England. 



When these varied conditions of soil and situation 

 are considered, the large total of 1179 species now 

 recorded for Hampshire is less remarkable. It will 

 not, of course, be claimed that all these plants are 

 indigenous to the county. Many have doubtless been 

 introduced by human agency. Mr. Townsend gives a 

 most interesting list of 258 species, "some of which," 

 he says, " have certainly, and others possibly, been 

 introduced from other counties." The greater number 

 have been long naturalised, and are as common, and 

 in some cases commoner, than many native species. 

 Among these plants of ancient introduction we may 

 mention, as interesting examples, such species as wall- 

 flower and the red-spur valerian. Others are known 

 to follow the culture of cereals throughout the globe, 

 as the yellow charlock, the corn pansy, and the scarlet 

 poppy. Others, again, are of more recent introduc- 

 tion, having found their way over from America and 

 other parts in ships and merchandise, or mixed with 

 foreign corn. 



It is again possible that in some instances, though 

 not, we believe, in many, plants recorded for the county 

 in former years are no longer to be found in Hamp- 

 shire. This may be due to the species having become 

 extinct within the bounds of the county, or to some 

 mistake in identification or locality. Thus the rare 

 Alpine enchanter's nightshade, a plant we should not 

 expect to find in a southern county, is reported to have 

 been once discovered "at Nested, in shady, rocky lanes 

 a mile from Petersfield south." But the specimen 



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