71 



Bidston heath is by far our best locality for Lichens 

 and Jungermanni^ ; in fact, every part of the hill 

 deserves and will repay a careful examination ; and Avhen 

 the botanist is weaxied vith his labour, he may delight 

 himself with the prospect before him : a prospect which, 

 it has often pleased me to notice, numbers of our Liver- 

 pool operatives seem thorouglily to appreciate. 



Flats and Marshes. — From the neighbourhood of Orms- 

 kii'k to Formby extends a level district, part of which is 

 peaty, but more generally the soil is much mixed with 

 sand. Nearly all the tract is cultivated, and the land is 

 almost on a level with the water in the ditches \)j Avhich 

 it is intersected. The Leasowe level has many features 

 in correspondence with this district, but it has much more 

 recently been overflowed by the sea. 



The plants upon these flats are very numerous. The 

 Buckbean, AVater-violet, Frog-bit, Greater Spear-Avort, 

 Meadow-rue, and the little marsh Pimpernel, all of Avhich 

 are foimd upon the northern flats, especiall}^ near Down- 

 Holland, are amongst the prettiest of oin- British wild 

 flowers. The plants upon the Leasowe level are less 

 conspicuous, but not less curious. Upon Bidston marsh, 

 however, grows in abundance the flowering rush, equal 

 in beauty to any. This marsh, which has been one of 

 our richest botanizing grounds, is fast disappearing. 



Salt-7)iarshes. — We have three distinct localities which 

 may be noticed under this head : a mile or tAvo of the 

 shore of the Mersey, near Ditton ; the entrance to 

 Bronlborough Pool ; and the entrance to Wallasey Pool 

 from Seacombe upwards. These places have a Flora of 

 their own, entirely distinct from that of the surrounding 

 neighbourhood. The Chenojfodiacece, that most puzzling 

 tribe, abound, and a host of plants of many genera, re- 

 joicing in the trivial name of maritima. The spreading 

 Sea Lavender grows plentifully on the side of Wallasey 



