493 



only a variety ? I am inclined to think that it has quite as good claims 

 to be considered a species, as some which, in these hair-splitting days, 

 have that honour. Is it not peculiar to the south of England ? Of 

 that variable plant, Scolopcndrium vulgare, there is a ourious variety 

 at Place-house, but it is scarce. The frond is rather stunted, irregu- 

 lar in the outline, and minutely crisped or plaited only just on the 

 edge : the var. crispum is a very different form, the frond being waved 

 in rather large folds, which extend almost to the midrib. 



Respecting Equisetum Telraateia, I may perhaps contribute a re- 

 mark or two bearing on the discussion respecting its habits, which 

 appeared in the first volume of the ' Phytologist.' At Fontley it is 

 abundant on banks of earth and clay which have been thrown up from 

 excavations on the South-western railway, which passes close by. 

 Ponds have been formed in the hollows between some of these banks, 

 and the Equisetum grows both on the banks and down to and within 

 the margin of the water. I gathered several specimens in flower, 

 which were growing in the water where it was three or four inches 

 deep. In Gill copse, where it also grows, there is one part of the 

 copse which is quite swampy, and in winter is covered with water, 

 and there, and there alone, grows the Equisetum. In every instance 

 where I have seen Equisetum Telmateia, it has always been on 

 marshy ground. I have certainly never seen it in what could be call- 

 ed a dry situation. The driest was on the upper part of the banks at 

 Fontley, where it is stunted, not being more than twelve to eighteen 

 inches high, while in the swamp in Gill copse I have seen it four or 

 five feet high. 



In a shallow pond in the same situation with the Equisetum, at 

 Fontley, grows Ranunculus fluitans in abundance, and presenting ex- 

 actly the same appearance as in a rapid stream, where the swiftness 

 of the current might appear to have caused its peculiar appearance. 

 In this pond, however, the water is quite still, and there is no current 

 to cause the different chai'acter which it displays from R. aquatilis. 



The neighbourhood of Faversham, in Kent (of which the Flora has 

 been published by Mr. Cowell), appears to be very similar to that of 

 Fareham, both in geological character, in physical aspect, in the num- 

 ber of plants ascertained to inhabit the respective districts, and in the 

 degree of latitude. A comparison of the two Floras shows a singu- 

 lar correspondence and yet a remarkable difference, as will appear 

 from the following analysis : — 



Vol. it. 3 p 



