80 RARE PLANTS NEAR SPINDLESTONE. [MurCU, 



tofore unknown as a Northumbrian plant. Some exception may- 

 be taken to this locality (a plantation) , but I have been informed 

 by one of the planters of this part of the hill that no ornamental 

 plants were introduced here, as the spot was planted merely for 

 a fox-cover. No walk, ride, nor drive, exists in the whole space, 

 now covered with trees. There is no doubt about the existence 

 of the Spiraa on the open bushy pasture while it was in its ori- 

 ginal state ; for since the plantation, grew up the number of the 

 plants has sensibly diminished, and in a few years it is to be 

 feared the Spiraa will cease to grow in this locality. 



I next turned my attention to the south side of a large rock in 

 the same plantation, and there I observed and collected Potentilla 

 verna and Allium oleraceum, the latter not yet in flower (May) . 

 The last-named plant is very plentiful on various parts of these 

 hills. 



Orchis Morio was also seen. On this part of the hill grew 

 also Trifolium arvense, Dianthus deltoides, Scablosa Columbaria, 

 and more plants of the Spiraa were in flower than when I visited 

 the place at an earlier period of the season. 



After leaving the plantation, I scrambled about the southern 

 base of the rocks, and there foimd Astragalus gJycyphyllus, 

 Gnaphalium uliginosum, Hieracium pallidum, and other plants of 

 less note. While crossing the hill towards Warn Mills, on damp 

 rocks, I succeeded in finding Spergula subulata and Sedum villo- 

 sum ; also Draba majuscula [? D. verna) in abundance. Arenaria 

 verna was associated with the above. 



My most interesting discoveries were still to come. W'hile 

 standing with my face to the south (towards Alnwick), having 

 the Cheviots behind my back, and while admiring the beauty of 

 a glorious sunset and rich landscape, I chanced to see on the 

 ground, at my very feet, Allium Schcsnoprasum and Moenchia 

 erecta, both plants additions to the Flora of Northumberland. 



When I first visited the place the Allium was not in flower, 

 but some bulbs which I carried away and planted in a garden 

 bloomed freely. 



I pointed out this station to the late amiable Dr. Johnston, 

 the learned author of the ■ Botany of the Eastern Borders.^ On 

 these hills also I have collected a pink variety of Gnaphalium 

 dioicum, and the narrow-leaved form of Orobus tuberosus [Lathy- 

 rus macrorhizus, var. tenuifolius) ; also Cystoptei'is fragilis and 



