PREFACE. 



THE following attempt to describe the Flowering Plants and 

 Ferns of Harleston is the work, not of one, but of many. It 

 owes its existence to the observations of valued friends found 

 in my first curacy, whose kindred tastes formed an immediate 

 bond of association between us, and became the source of 

 much pleasant intercourse and, I trust, of mutual benefit. To 

 the records of the Botanical Club have been added those of 

 another personal friend, the late Rev. E. A. Holmes, Rector of 

 St. Margaret's, whose kindly interest and scientific experience 

 were ever extended to those who were endeavouring to trace 

 the wondrous paths of nature which he had himself known for 

 more than half a century. 



Having, however, undertaken the duty of editing the result 

 of our combined labours, I have probably made myself re- 

 sponsible for the truthfulness of the statements given. I trust 

 it will be sufficient to say that of the six hundred and seventy- 

 six species recorded by the Club, all except twenty-six have 

 passed under my own notice ; that of the remaining one hundred 

 and fifteen species reported, more than half are confirmed by 

 the authority of Mr. Holmes ; and all records resting on 

 other authority have been carefully examined, the plants 

 being considered extinct if recent observation would probably 

 have confirmed their existence but has failed to do so marked 

 as introduced if the locality favoured that supposition 

 rejected as unwarranted if upon correspondence no specimens 

 or details were forthcoming. It asks a little self-denial to 

 refuse a reported discovery which has been long desired and 

 would augment the district list, yet cannot be satisfactorily 

 verified ; such self-denial, however, has not been wanting. 



I am sorry that at the time of my departure from the 

 neighbourhood the Cryptogamic Orders were practically un- 

 touched : from observation and report I have reason to believe 

 that, were an enthusiast to arise, he would find an ample 



