566 



clasyphyllum, S. reflexum and Valeriana rubra. Near the Bristol Ho- 

 tel was Torilis nodosa, very large. 



We reached the shore of the Bristol Channel about mid-day. For 

 a considerable distance the coast is here very precipitous and roman- 

 tic, being formed of black, uncouth masses of rock, which appear to 

 have fallen into their present position through the undermining influ- 

 ence of the sea. Inland the hills are steep, and, on their seaward 

 slopes, comparatively barren, aflbrding little besides pasturage for 

 sheep. Filago germanica was, however, abundant, and in a little na- 

 tural shrubbery of furze and brambles, I found Senecio sylvaticus and 

 Calamagrostis Epigejos. The path winds along the extreme edge of 

 the cliffs, forming, as it were, the line of demarcation between earth 

 and the oceanic territory. Extending from the path down to high- 

 water mark, except where interrupted by the rocks, is a steep grassy 

 bank, abounding with beautiful flowers. Here I gathered Iris fcetidis- 

 sima, Orchis pyramidalis in profusion, Orobanche minor. Euphorbia 

 amygdaloides in fruit, Chlora perfoliata in profusion, Silene maritima, 

 Festuca elatior, Scolopendrium vulgare, Daucus Carota^ and many 

 others. The vegetation by the sides of the path consists, in a great 

 measure, of rather stunted Anthyllis Vulneraria. Near Walton, the 

 rocks are less rugged, and allow of walking upon and between them. 

 Here it was that in a low curious cave I met with Asplenium marinum, 

 being the first time I had ever seen living plants. Some of the finest 

 sjjecimens were growing many yards from the entrance of the cave, 

 where little light could enter, and so shut in by the sloping roof, that 

 I had to creep till I was almost prostrate before they were accessible. 

 In the crevices of the rocks was abundance of Thrincia hirta, and of a 

 curious and striking variety of Plantago Coronopus, having succulent, 

 densely hairy leaves, and exceedingly numerous flower-scapes. Fur- 

 ther on, towards Portishead, Hypericum Androsaemum was in bloom, 

 still retaining the ripe fruit of last year. A few diminutive specimens 

 of Samolus Valerandi were visible in a little cave ; and by the side of 

 a fresh-water spring, which bubbles forth from amid the bosom of the 

 rocks, Schoenus nigricans, brown and muddy from the tide washing 

 over it. After collecting these, together with some shells and speci- 

 mens of the different Fuci, with which the rocks are thickly tapestried, 

 we returned to Bristol ; and though the botanical value of the day's 

 gatherings was not of the very first order, the delightful influences and 

 associations under which they were collected have given them a deep 

 and unfading interest. 



During the 7th and 8th of July torrents of rain prevented all bota- 



