258 BOTANY. 



CUMBERLAND. 



The Lake District, and the margin of comparatively level land 

 extending to the Cumberland shore, affords such a scope for the 

 natural production of plants as few of the English counties 

 possess. 



The great diversity of altitude,* and consequent variety of 

 climate ; the numerous and extreme changes of mineral and vege- 

 table soils; the complete circuit of aspect occasioned by the 

 multiplicity and varied character of its hills and dales ; the perfect 

 exposure to the sea-breezes in some parts, and the exclusion from 

 them in others; and the very different degrees of moisture to 

 which the district is subject, varying from nearly 163 inchest of 

 rain-fall per annum in one or two of the mountain vales to only 

 about 21 inches^ in some of the lowland levels, accommodate the 

 growth of a great variety of the British Flora — the product of 

 almost every locality between extreme anglo-alpine and the verge 

 of the sea. 



It is true that agricultural enterprise is quietly and gradually, 

 but surely diminishing the numbers of the species; and perhaps 

 the monopolising avarice of professed collectors§ may aid the 

 destructive progress not a little, even to the total extermination 

 of some plants. Still, such a range of variety is found between 

 the littoral and alpine extremes of West Cumberland as may 

 fairly gratify the wishes of the true botanist. 



* Scawfell Pike, the highest land in the county, is 3160 feet above the level 

 of the sea. — Mb. Otlkt. 



t At Borrowdale, per Dr. Miller. J Harraby, near Carlisle. 



§ Only a year or two ago, one of this class being told of the habitat of the 

 rare Qrammitia Ceterach, went and picked out of the wall in which it grew, 

 with the point of a knife, every plant ! Fortunately, some seeds had been 

 deposited, and they have restored the treasure. 





