3o6 TRANSACTIONS OF ROYAL SCOTTISH ARBORICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



XIX. The Ligneous Plants of Eamjishire. By John Smith, 

 Romsey, Hants. 



An account of the indigenous plants of a connty is of interest 

 not only to the Botanist, but also to the practical Forester. 

 Some counties have a flora peculiarly their own, or at least have 

 plants which occur more abundantly than in other counties ; and 

 Hampshire being rich in native and naturalised plants, I have 

 been induced to submit this paper on the Ligneous Plants, giving 

 the results of many years of observation. 



It seems desirable to localise as much as possible our native 

 flora, and by examining counties separately we are more likely to 

 determine which plants are true natives. Without further remark 

 I proceed to give an account of the native trees and shrubs of 

 Hampshire, adopting the Natural System of classification. 



CuPULiFER^. — The British Oak {Quercus Rohur pedunculata). 

 — This is the prevailing tree of the county, and is found in 

 every variety of soil and subsoil. There are many fine old trees, 

 such as the one at Oakley Farm, Mottisfont, girthing 31 feet 6 

 inches^ ; one at Hurstbourne Park, girthing 21 feet; and many 

 others remarkable for size and beauty. 



The " Dur" or Durmast Oak {Q. Rohur sessilijlora) is a distinct 

 species. 1st, the leaves are on long foot-stalks; 2d, the acorn is 

 on a short foot-stalk. These two characters are exactly the 

 opposite of Q. Rohur, but this is not the only distinction, for the 

 bark of the young tree is more silvery in appearance than that of 

 the mature tree. The habit of growth is also difierent ; the 

 head is more spreading and umbrella-shaped. Finally, the 

 timber is not of so enduring a quality, and the tree does not 

 attain to such large dimensions as the other species. This species 

 is not widely distributed, but a large wood exists between Hursley 

 and Bomsey, where a great many specimens are to be found, and 

 also in Brook-Wood in the northern part of the New Forest. 



The Beech {Fagus sylvatica).— While, the leaf and the acorn of 

 the oak vary much in difierent trees, the leaf and the mast of the 

 beech are seldom seen to vary. The ancient beech forests were 

 at one time very extensive in the county, but are mostly giving 

 place to oak. It has still, however, a wide range, and such old 



^ For a description of the trees of which tlie nieasurenients are j^iveii in 

 this paper, see "Present State and Future Prospects of Arboiiculturc in 

 Hampshire" (T'rajis. Scot. Arbor. Soc, vol. xi., page 522, cl acq.). 



