O a km ere. 45 



For here, in the autumnal sunshine, the soft wind is 

 prone so to waft over the dimpling surface that it 

 becomes covered with lucid ripples, while at the margin, 

 if the "crimson weeds" of the mermaids' country are not 

 present, there are pretty green ones that "lie like 

 pictures on the sands below," 



With all those bright-hued pebbles that the sun 

 Through the small waves so softly shines upon. 



The borders of Oakmere abound with curious plants. 

 One of the rarest of British grasses, the Calamagrostis 

 stricta,) grows here. The locality is also a noted one for 

 the Utricularia minor, though we do not find that 

 interesting fern of the Vale Royal wood, the Lastrea 

 Thelypteris. 



Contemplating this lovely mere, whether from Eddis- 

 bury, or its own borders, and remembering the many 

 similar waters close by,* a group, after that one to which 

 Windermere leads the way. without parallel in our island, 

 it is impossible not to feel curious as to their history. 

 The simple fact appears to be that all, or nearly all the 

 Vale Royal meres are referable to the existence, under- 

 neath, of great salt-crystal beds which give occupation 

 to the people of Northwich. The surface-soil of the 

 Cheshire salt district consists of a few feet of drift-sand 

 or clay. Below this there is a considerable depth of 

 "New red marl," and below this there is good reason to 



* In addition to the meres already mentioned, there are Pickmere, 

 Rud worth Mere, Flaxmere, Doddington Mere, Combermere, and. 

 several others. 



