494 



E. Smith, its first discoverer in this country, it would be presumptu- 

 ous in me to offer an opinion on its claim to specific distinction. 

 Yet I may be allowed perhaps to observe that an attentive perusal of 

 the condensed descriptions of this and the three other assumed spe- 

 cies its allies, F. spatulata, canescens and eriocephala, with Mr. H. 

 C. Watson's remarks thereon, at p. 313, &c, of the present volume, 

 has not inclined me to adopt the cautious and diffident conclusion he 

 arrives at of the existence of three apparent species in this country ; 

 the characters seem too much interwoven or reciprocally applicable 

 to each kind to be rendered satisfactory on paper to those who, like 

 myself, have not possessed the opportunity of comparing them in a 

 fresh or living state. 



Filago minima. On barren, sandy or gravelly heaths, banks and 

 pastures, but not very common, at least in the Isle of Wight. On St. 

 George's and Bleak Downs. On Buck's Heath, between Kingston 

 and Shorwell, and in a sandy field at the foot of Queen Bower. By 

 Sibbeck's farm, near Niton. In Hayling Island, on the south beach, 

 near the hotel, &c. Oakhanger, and most abundantly all over Short 

 Heath, September, 1848. At Boldre, and doubtless in many other 

 parts of the county. 



Gnaphalium uliginomm. In sandy, gravelly and muddy spots, 

 where water has stood, in half dried up ditches, and bare, damp 

 places bv road-sides, &c. ; common over the county and island. 



sylvaticuniy var. rectum (G. rectum , Sm.^. In dry, 



sandy woods, thickets, pastures and heathy places ; rare ? " Fre- 

 quent in the south-west parts of the Isle of Wight ;" Mr. J. Woods, 

 Jun., in ' Botanist's Guide.' There is doubtless some error in the 

 above statement, as, so far is this species from being "frequent" here, 

 that not a single specimen has ever presented itself to observation 

 during reiterated endeavours to verify Mr. Woods's assertion in this 

 and other quarters of the island more likely to afford it, the south- 

 western side being for the most part open, arable land, with hardly a 

 patch of copse or brushwood, or even a tree of any size to be seen. 

 The plant is still a desideratum to the Vectian flora. West Wood, 

 W. Meon, July 18th, 1848. Warnford ; Rev. E. M. Sladen. Lang- 

 rish ; Miss G. E. Kilderbee ! and probably in numerous other places 

 within the county. N. B. — Antennaria dioica may not unreasonably 

 be looked for on the high heaths and Downs in the north of Hamp- 

 shire. 



Boronicum plantagineum. In woods and pastures ? At East 

 Woodhay: Mr. J. E. Winterbottom in Curt. Brit. Entom. vol. xvi. 



