20 KENTISH BOTANY. [January, 



We missed Hippocrepis comosa, not entirely^ but the myriads 

 wliicli cover some steep hangers on the North Downs about Guild- 

 ford^ Shere, and Dorking, were not here observable. It appeared 

 on the roadside, but not in great abundance. 



On the slopes and hangers beyond Broome Park, in the direc- 

 tion of Elham, an amazing abundance of certain Orchids grew, 

 one of which, Hermifiiutn Monorchis, abounded on both sides of 

 the valley a little beyond Broome Park, towards Elham. It was 

 most abundant on the south-east slope, where it grew in scattered 

 patches, spread over many acres. Several of the specimens 

 were from nine to twelve inches high. 



Gymnadenia conopsea was equally plentiful on the same sloping 

 pasture field, where the Bee Orchis appeared only few and far 

 between. 



In Canterbury there has recently been established a botanical 

 and floral society, and these florists are so zealous collectors, — I 

 will not say rapacious, — that the race of some of the rarest plants, 

 especially of the Orchid family, is in imminent danger of being 

 speedily extirpated. It is very much to be regretted that the 

 leading members of these societies are so forgetful of the claims 

 of posterity. 



An open space on the downs, between the place where we 

 were and Elham, was pointed out to us as the station of the 

 Spider Orchis, but whether of the early or late species, we did not 

 ascertain. This flue tract of high ground between Canterbury 

 and Dover, or on the Folkestone branch, is well worth the 

 notice of botanists. It has not had its fair share of attention, 

 though it is celebrated for its fine open and diversified scenery. 

 Its botany is but little known. 



The old Roman road, from Hythe to Canterbury, which passes 

 through Elham, is the locality for Vicia sylvatica, an outlying 

 station for this fine sylvan species. A week or even a fortnight 

 might be enjoyed here about the beginning or middle of June 

 in backward seasons, making the little town of Elham the 

 botanist's headquarters, and working round from this centre be- 

 tween Hythe and Folkestone on the one side, and Broome 

 Park and Ashford on the other. A rich collection could surely 

 be procured in this district, and British botanists might get re- 

 liable information about the productions of one of the richest 

 districts in England, a part of the country at present compara- 

 tively unexplored. 



