120 THE DISTRIBUTION OF LIVING PLANTS. 



remarkable number of geological formations'; these lead one 

 to expect distinct differences of flora even in districts of 

 the closest proximity ; but although the character of plants is 

 largely influenced by the mineral constituents of the rocks in 

 their immediate vicinity, yet the majority of plants is to be 

 found on the alluvial soils composed of the debris of many other 

 strata. As, when endeavouring to form a garden where every 

 variety of bloom may please the eye and charm the senses, it is 

 necessary to provide the soil in which each plant may find the 

 environment best suited to its requirements, so Nature, revers- 

 ing this process for each combination of earths, provides the 

 appropriate plant, often of striking beauty and always possessed of 

 the indescribable charm of appropriateness and perfect harmony 

 with its surroundings, which places it on a different plane from 

 the denizens of an ordinary garden. In thus assorting her plants 

 to their proper habitats, Nature indicates the close relation between 

 the mineral and vegetable provinces of her kingdom, so that the 

 instructed eye will discern through the vegetation the character 

 of the underlying rock, and with equal certainty will predict, from 

 a knowledge of the base rock, what flowers may be expected there 

 in their seasons. 



In Dorset, with its manifold strata and its ample provision of 

 rivers and tributary streams, we find every condition realised for 

 encouraging the growth not only of the more generally known 

 wild flowers, but also of some species rare in many other parts 

 of England. 



Carrying our thoughts to the wide tract of chalk which stretches 

 across the county from the extreme north-east to within a few 

 miles of the south-west coast line, we find high downland with 

 but scanty vegetation, except in the hollows where better soil 

 has collected from the wastage of the hills. Turning next to the 

 extreme south, we follow the chalk in a narrow tract visible along 

 the coast at Ringstead Bay and Lulworth, from which point it 

 strikes nearly due east till it forms the picturesque cliff's of 

 Ballard Head. In the hollows and hanging woods of this 

 area may be found all the ordinary Spring flowers, also the 



