ITS FLOWERING PLANTS. 



named is uncommon, and if I mentioned its 

 locality it might be exterminated ; but as it does 

 not flower here I trust it may be spared. 



The plants which may be described as most 

 characteristic of the Forest are the common brake 

 fern, which is universal ; the common polypody 

 fern, which grows in the crowns of the pollard 

 tree ; the gorse ; the petty whin ; and the ling or 

 heather, which cover the drier parts; the orchis, 

 of which more than one variety may be found 

 beyond High Beach; and the ground ivy on the 

 clay soil. The aquatic vegetation is a distinct 

 feature, rich in deep greens and graceful forms. 

 Of the water plants the common water -dock is 

 one of the handsomest ; the two kinds of bulrush, 

 one tall and very slender, the other bolder in 

 character; the water-lilies ; the carices or water- 

 grasses ; the sweet-scented rush, with which in 

 ancient times the Monastery floor was strewn; the 

 water-violet ; the ranunculus ; and the mare's tail, 

 are all full of beauty and character. But the 

 real show is afforded by the masses of the com- 

 monest and most familiar flowers, each in their 

 season, and especially of the flowering bushes. 

 Thus in March we have the primrose, though 

 unfortunately the stock of these has been sadly 

 diminished by being dug up in bushels to be sold 

 in London ; in April the blue bells and white 

 wood anemone, which may be gathered in 

 quantity in the Walthamstow Forest, at the 

 Cuckoo Pits, between Chingford and High Beach, 

 and elsewhere; in May the hawthorn, crab 

 apple, and gorse; in June the wild rose, water 

 forget-me-not, and many others; in July the 

 honeysuckle and tall flowering grasses, and in 



