1862.] EAST ANGLIAN BOTANY. 361 



other. The exterior walls alone remain, constructed of Roman 

 tiles or thin brick, in layers, and between these layers masses of 

 conci-ete, hard as a rock ; not solid masonry, but equally strong 

 and more durable. 



The area enclosed by the walls of Burgh Castle appears to be 

 smaller than that of Richborough ; only the east Mall of the 

 latter is wanting, long since swallowed up in the sea of Pegwell 

 Bay. Here the Avail is complete, or nearly so. The ground in- 

 side was cropped with wheat. 



We went round the interior, and surveyed the unmouldering 

 remains, built, one might say, not for 99 years, nor for 999 

 years, — it has lasted longer than this last period, — but, like the 

 Cyclopean and Pelasgic monuments, for ever, or until the great 

 cataclysm Avhich is destined to overthrow all the works of the 

 most eminent architects and builders of all times. 



The plants on the wall, at least those visible to us, were of the 

 very commonest kinds ; except Potentilla argentvrla, we did not -^^ 

 observe one worth mentioning ; none celebrated either for rarity 

 or beauty adorn this ancient castle. 



Towards the river, on the south and v/est sides as aforesaid, 

 the ruins were overgrown ^itli Ivy and other arborescent forms 

 of vegetation, and the slope below produced plenty of Fennel, 

 like its Kentish contemporary. We did not see Smyrnhim, 

 though it probably grows here as well as at Richborough, but 

 ■we saw unknown Verbascums, a genus of plants which we never 

 saw near Richborough. 



At the base of the cliff between the castle and the river, (we 

 wish to indicate the spot with as much definiteness as possible, 

 because it might seem pedantic, or an affectation of fear for the 

 extirpation of a rare plant, to conceal its locality, especially of a 

 plant so difficult to extirpate as Sonchus palustris,) in the ditch 

 surrmmiled by reeds and WLatf;r Figwort, there is a small colony 

 of the ISIarsh Sow-thistle. It was not in flower when we were 

 there, but we brought a bit of the plant in our tin case, by way 

 of sample, like the Greek scholar who carried a brick in his 

 pocket to show the quality of the house which he wanted to sell. 



This, in our simplicity, was at first believed to be a discovery, 

 but it turned out to be none at all. However, it was a pleasure 

 by us unexpected in this part of the country, for the station is 

 not in Turner and Dillwyu's ' Botanist's Guide.' 



N. S. VOL. VI. 3 A 



