708 



in a field of tares, whether native or introduced with seed at some time, 

 I am unable to say, but as that part of the country has not been much 

 explored, it is not unlikely that it may be as indigenous there as in 

 Norfolk. Thesium linophyllum, Alsine tenuifolia, Orobanche elatior, 

 Papaver hybridum, Melilotus arvensis, Fumaria parviflora or Vaillantii, 

 and other rare plants also grow here. As regards the latter, I very 

 much doubt whether we have two British species under these names, 

 and incline to think that all the specimens will be found alike, but to 

 which species they are to be referred I am unable to say, not having 

 foreign specimens with which to compare them. The plant, which is 

 not uncommon in this neighbourhood, agrees more nearly in leaves 

 and fruit with the figure of F. parviflora in ' English Botany,' than 

 with that of F. Vaillantii. Melilotus arvensis appears to be rather the 

 commoner species of the two in this district, and it is also common 

 about Stortford ; I do not notice that they are either of them confined 

 to any particular situations, being found indiscriminately intermixed. 

 It is rather surprising that there is no record of its having been more 

 generally observed this year. 



I mentioned in a former paper, having made an unsuccessful expe- 

 dition last year to Boxhill, in search of Teucrium Botrys, which was 

 reported to grow there ; but being invited by my friend W. Borrer to 

 accompany him in a fresh search this season, I gladly accepted the 

 proposal, and after some time spent in examining the spot, we suc- 

 ceeded in finding it there, and scattered along the stony sides of the 

 hill for some distance, and most indubitably wild. Though not in 

 great abundance, there were a considerable number of specimens, and 

 it is remarkable that a plant by no means inconspicuous should have 

 so long escaped observation, in a place so much frequented, though 

 this part may be rather secluded. It is a very interesting addition to 

 the British Flora, but is scarcely likely to be confined to so small a 

 space, and has been reported to have been found in another place, 

 though not on very good authority. 



In a corn-field near the hill we also gathered Anagallis cserulea, 

 Ajuga Chanioepitys, Lathyrus Nissolia, Bromus arvensis, &c. The 

 latter, though probably introduced, has been found in so many places, 

 that it surely deserves a place in the British Flora, more than many 

 corn-field and other plants which are always considered to be natu- 

 ralized ; but in the ' Manual' it is put in brackets, and in the ' Lon- 

 don Catalogue' classed with the excluded species. 



G. S. Gibson. 



Saffron Walden, October, 1849. 



