Sketches of Irish Natural History. 557 



The CLARE PLANTS, which, indeed, scarcely belong to our district, 

 include, as already stated, one of our greatest Irish rarities, Neotinea 

 intacta, and many sub -Alpine species, of which the most noteworthy are 

 Ajugafiyramidalis, Helianthemum canum, ^c^diPotentillafruticosa^ 

 to which may be added Astragalus Hyfioglottis, peculiar, in Ireland, 

 to the South Isles of Aran. 



The true Maidenhair Fern (Adiantum Cafiillus- Veneris] occurs 

 very sparingly, if not now extinct, along the south shore of the Shannon, 

 near Foynes ; and grows plentifully in the Isles of Aran ; and in many 

 localities in the North of Clare. There is a record of its having been 

 found, many years ago, on Cahirconree Mountain, near Tralee, but no 

 botanist, has, of late, been able to rediscover it, and it is feared some 

 mistake was made. 



In concluding the above short summary of the characteristic plants 

 of the South-west of Ireland, I gladly acknowledge the valuable and 

 most friendly assistance which I have received from my friend, Mr. 

 Nathaniel Colgan, whose investigations into the history of the Shamrock 

 are well known to Irish botanists ; and my friend, Mr. Reginald W. 

 Scully, who is now engaged in the preparation of a FLORA OF KERRY, 

 has most liberally given me leave to make use of the results of his recent 

 investigations. 



