1133 



gratifying to find that no amount of early impressions are likely to 

 carry one's fancy beyond the reality of its native charms. For my 

 own part, there was no anticipation which was not surpassed ; and 

 what was the more gratifying to myself as a botanist, was to see very 

 clear indications that the district is likely to prove not less rich to the 

 botanist than to the zoologist. 



It was too late in the season to expect to do very much in botaniz- 

 ing, but I soon observed sufficient to be aware that not only might a 

 very rich collection be obtained here, but that also very many most 

 interesting observations might be made in this district, as respects 

 geological Botany,* My time was not sufficient to make extended 

 observations, nor am I myself a geologist, but I was so much struck 

 with some of the peculiarities of this situation, that I cannot refrain 

 from mentioning them. 



Selborne is situated at the junction of the upper green sand and 

 chalk formations, and the general fact of the fertility of the soil at the 

 junction of any limestone and sandstone series, holds good here to a 

 remarkable degree. The well known beech Hanger^ which is on the 

 west side of Selborne, is on the chalk, which is also the case with the 

 beautifully wooded Nore Hill, two miles to the south of Selborne. 

 The general aspect of the landscape is decidedly hilly ,t and nearly all 

 the hills slope gently to the west, and precipitously on the east side, 

 which sides are very generally overgrown with wood, and designated 

 hangers. Passing to the east from Selborne, the level is diversified 

 as above mentioned, but its general tendency is that of a declivity, 

 until, at a distance of about three miles, you anive at a large sandy 

 flat, which is composed of the lower green sand. The intermediate 

 part consists of the chalk marl and upper green sand, comprising, 

 I am informed, some very remarkable modifications of these, which 

 are highly interesting in a geological point of view. In its unbroken 

 state, the soil of this district is stratified rock or free stone, varying in 



* In speaking of geological Botany, I believe I am guilty of coining a new terra ; 

 but I have often observed that the relations between the vegetation of different parts 

 of a district, and its Geology, are most interesting, and would furnish a field for ob- 

 servation, not less interesting than the geographical distribution of plants, or rather, T 

 should say, form a most interesting subsection of this branch of Natural History. In 

 an agricultural point of view, such observations might be rendered of great benefit, as 

 by them it might be judged, from the Botany of the fallows, what kinds of manure 

 were required. 



f Though very hilbj, I cannot accord with White in applying the word mountain- 

 ous to this district. 



