1862.] PLANTS OF ENFIELD CHASE. 299 



probably be some years ere the new colouy of Colney Hatch reach 

 far on its way to meet Enfield. 



The soil of the Chase is quite as unpromising, unproductive, 

 and uniform as that of the whole county in general, excepting 

 that part where the chalk crops out, as at Harefield. It is a 

 lean, cold, adhesive, gravelly clay ; aud though in the vicinity 

 of the metropolis, and consequently well manured, yields no 

 superabundant produce either of cereals or of hay. 



Its general aspect, for Middlesex, is picturesque ; its surface is 

 undulating; it has elevations and slopes, ridges crowned with 

 ancient woods, and deep valleys, abounding in rich pasture and 

 well shaded ponds. The air is excellent, and the population 

 healthy. 



A catalogue of its botanical productions cannot be given, for 

 the best of all reasons, viz. they are unknown to the historian 

 of the few plants hereinafter enumerated. 



Above twelve months since, one of our fair and obliging cor- 

 respondents observed a strange Orchid which unexpectedly ap- 

 peared in the shrubberies about her residence. Chase Cottage, a 

 mile from Enfield, on the road to Southgate ; and she, the owner, 

 obligingly sent a note concerning it to the ^ Phy tologist,' and 

 this notice appeared in our periodical. There was something 

 mysterious about its appearance here, for the plant in question 

 had never been recorded as a Middlesex species, neither is it 

 known in the Epping district of Essex adjoining. 



The lawn and appendages of Chase Cottage had been laid out, 

 planted, and kept in trim condition for between thirty and forty 

 years, yet this strange vegetable visitant had never been observed 

 till within the last year or so. It is now extending over the 

 plantations, and is encroaching upon the flower-beds. Becently a 

 few plants of it have been detected in a meadow on the opposite 

 side of the road. 



As above said, the appearance of this plant is mysterious — one 

 of the inexplicable marvels of the vegetable kingdom. How was 

 it brought to its present locality ? With the trees planted there ? 

 But they have been in tlieir present situation nearly forty years ; 

 and would it have remained dormant, and retained its vitality 

 for so long a pei'iod ? Probably not. 



If this plantation had been made with young trees from the 

 tracts of Surrey and Kent, where this Orchid abounds, such an 



