547 



crop off the exuberant vegetation that diffuses itself over the banks in 

 the montlis of May and June. 



Chenopodinm olidum, Curt. Kelvedon ; Messing. Tliis unplea- 

 santly-scented herb picks out the sides of paths in gardens and in 

 allotment-fields for its peculiar habitats in the above-mentioned pa- 

 rishes. About London it always used to be found at the bottom of 

 walls. But both in London and in Essex it retains its unpleasant 

 odour, notwithstanding old Gerarde's observation, that in localities 

 similar to those above mentioned it " doth somewhat alter his smell, 

 which is like tosted cheese." 



Rumex pratensis, M. Sf K. Inworth, Messing, and Kelvedon, in 

 damp places by road-sides where the water has stagnated during win- 

 ter. It is difficult to obtain good fruited specimens of this plant, for 

 many of the genus to which it belongs are under the ban of agricultu- 

 rists, and are cut up and destroyed with persevering assiduity. 



Parieiaria erecia, Koch. Chipping Hill, Essex. Appears to dif- 

 fer from P. diffusa in its habit, and in the form of its leaves, rather 

 than in the exact number of flowers in the involucres. The number 

 of flowers in the involucra of P. diffusa is variable in the same plant 

 in different seasons, for one which has been under observation for 

 several years, which has been frequently examined, and M'hich always 

 appeared to pi'esent the regular number of flowers in the involucra, 

 afforded last year a variety, of from three to six flowers in lieu of the 

 regular number. 



Scirpus maritimus, L. Margins of a pond near Oldfield Grange, 

 Coggeshall, an inland locality for this generally maritime plant, which, 

 however, does not altogether confine itself to salt-water. S. Tabernae- 

 raontani was associated along with S. maritimus by the side of the 

 same pond there ; this latter being mostly an inhabitant of brackish 

 water in the county of Essex. 



Carex elongata, var. C. Gebhardi, Reich. Chaulkney Wood. In 

 this locality C. Gebherdi appears a stunted variety of C. elongata; the 

 plant struggling, as it were, for existence, and maintaining a feeble 

 growth in spots of the wood which once were boggy and moist, but 

 which are now rendered of a different character, by draining and other 

 operations. 



Carex arenaria, L., C. divisa, Huds., Phletim arenarium, L., Fes- 

 tnca uniglumis, Sol. Shore at Mersea Island. Festuca uniglumis at 

 Mersea Island is interesting, from the fact of its growing there having 

 been recorded by Ray. 



