426 BELGIAN BOTANY. [February, 



lively than these little creatures browsing the Festucas and 

 tender plants of these places, and to see them surprised at the 

 unexpected presence of a new sort of browsers. 



Nature has been very provident in planting on the dunes which 

 border the sea, a multitude of plants having strong rhizomes, 

 which fix together the sands, and thus prevent the waters from 

 submerging the low parts. Among these species I must men- 

 tion the Glaux maritima, whose rhizomes do not appear to be 

 much known, and are undescribed in all my books. 



With the exception of a violent west wind, the day had been 

 passably fine, but arrived at La Panne we were caught on the 

 road by a shower, or rather a deluge. Like the rabbits we too were 

 surprised, but unlike them we had no warren near. Before reach- 

 ing Furnes we were literally soaked to the skin ; still we were 

 able to remark in the ditches along the road. Slum angustifoliam, 

 Hippuris vulgaris, and Juncus obtusiflorus ; in the Flax^ Lathyrus 

 tuberqsus ; close to Furnes, Verbascum Blattaria and Trifolium 

 micranthum. 



In a pitiable plight we disembarked at the port, that is at the 

 Hotel de la Noble Rose, a house bearing a noble name, but, as 

 we found, ignoble in its hospitality. When the first four arrived 

 they gave us a hearty welcome, and prepared a large fire to dry 

 our garments, while our rooms were being prepared. Whilst we 

 were busy wringing our clothes and changing our shoes, the main 

 body of the caravan crowded into the hotel, went upstairs, and 

 took possession of the prepared rooms. The master favoured 

 them at the expense of the first-comers, who had a legitimate 

 right to occupy the first rooms, but were obliged to seek 

 lodgings elsewhere. 



Leaving in dudgeon the " Noble Rose," we went to lodge at the 

 Hotel de la Couronne, nearly opposite, where a good old matron 

 received us in a friendly way, and where the demoiselles even 

 lent us garments to put on while our clothes were being dried. 

 Honni celui qui nial y pense ! At supper, our curious dresses 

 caused no little amount of merriment. Before we were awake 

 the next morning, M. Crepin, who lodged under the same roof, 

 had already visited the town and returned loaded with a large 

 box full of beautiful specimens of Parietaria diffusa, gathered on 

 the walls of an old convent. 



Having had a hearty breakfast, we arranged our parcels of 



