286 



Fragaria vesca. Woods, thickets and on hedge-banks very com- 

 mon everywhere. 



t? elatior? I observed some years ago a Fragaria which 



is probably this species, growing very abundantly in Stratton Park, 

 along the carriage-drive to the house, but had at the time no oppor- 

 tunity of examining it more closely. I mention it here to call atten- 

 tion to the plant and its locality, which latter, from what I recollect 

 of it, was not such as would entitle the- former to be pronounced indi- 

 genous, though perhaps few English stations for the hautboy straw- 

 berry are much less exceptionable. 



For the subjoined list of Hampshire brambles I am indebted to 

 the kindness of my friend Dr. T. Bell Salter, who it is well known 

 has devoted much attention to this most difficult and perplexing tribe. 



I freely confess that the uncertainty which hangs over the determi- 

 nation of the species, and the endless diversity of opinion which pre- 

 vails as to their number, names and characters, quite dishearten me 

 from attempting their investigation ; the more so, as I feel persuaded 

 that to enter on their examination with any chance of ultimate suc- 

 cess, would require a much greater sacrifice of time to be exclusively 

 given up to the task, than I am either able or willing to devote to the 

 attainment of an end, the successful issue of which, after all labour 

 bestowed, is very problematical. Seeing that some of our most acute 

 botanists, after years of close and careful study of the brambles, still 

 doubt, hesitate and dispute about them, I am sensible how ineffectual 

 would be any endeavours of mine to aid in the adjustment of so 

 vexed and complicated a question. 



Bubus Idceus. In thickets and moist woods not very frequently or 

 abundantly, but pretty generally spread over the Isle of Wight. I 

 have not observed it on the mainland, but have no doubt of its being 

 about equally frequent. The variety trifoliatus, and that with white 

 fruit, less common. Westwood, near West Meon, Miss L. Sibley !!! 

 Near Clanfield, W. A. B. Abundant on Oxenbourne Down, near 

 Petersfield, springing up where the furze has been burnt, and else- 

 where in that vicinity, W. A. B. 



suberectus. Observed only in damp woods in the Isle of 



Wight, near Shanklin, and generally of the form trifoliatus. It 

 sometimes attains the height of eight or nine feet, with fruit of a 

 bright red. Leighton's fissus certainly does not differ from this. 



plicatus. In bogs and damp woods in several parts of the 



Isle of Wight and the mainland. 



Salteri. The only Hampshire station I yet know for this 



