BOTANY 



British plant from this district (G. Nicholson), but is now extinct in its original station. Some 

 interesting roses occur, such as the burnet rose (Rosa spinosissima) which is found on several of 

 the suburban commons, as well as Rosa involuta and R. hibernica, all rare in the county ; the 

 two latter however are now regarded as hybrids rather than distinct species. The hairy 

 violet (Viola hirta), elsewhere confined to the chalk and gault, occurs in two localities on the 

 London Clay : on Ham Common (G. Nicholson), and between Lower Maiden and Epsom 

 Common. 



The principal plants of the district are : 



Ranunculus trichophyllus, Chaix 

 Papaver hybridum, L. 

 Dianthus deltoides, L. 

 Cerastium pumilum, Curt. 

 Rosa spinosissima, L. 



involuta, Sm. 



hibernica, Sm. 



obtusifolia, Desv. 

 Myriophyllum verticillatum, L. 



"Centranthus ruber, DC. 



Valerianella Auricula, DC. 



Filago spathulata, Presl. 



Antennaria dioica, Br. (extinct ?) 

 *Galinsoga parviflora, Cav. 

 *Inula Helenium, L. 



Crepis biennis, L. 



Campanula latifolia, L. 



Gentiana praecox, Raf. 

 Limnanthemum peltatum, Gmelin 

 Euphrasia Kerneri, Wettst. 

 Atriplex marina, L. 

 Rumex maritimus, L. 



elongatus, Guss. 



sylvestris, Wallr. 

 Wolffia arrhiza, Wimm. 

 Scilla autumnalis, L. 

 Luzula maxima, DC. 

 Juncus diffusus, Hoppe 

 Scirpus carinatus, Smith 



triqueter, L. 



maritimus, L. 

 Alopecurus fulvus, Sm. 

 Festuca elatior, L. 



Bromus madritensis, L. (extinct?) 



8. WANDLE 



The Wandle district includes also parts of the basins of other small streams, but owing 

 to the alterations in levels in the neighbourhood of London it has not been thought advisable 

 to attempt to make any subdivisions. The district is bounded on the north by the river 

 Thames, on the south by the chalk ridge, on the east by the county of Kent, and on the 

 west by the Hogg's Mill district. 



About one half of the district is on the chalk formation, the remaining half being on the 

 London Clay. In proportion to its area, it possesses considerably less running water than any 

 other district, the river Wandle being practically its only stream. 



The blue wood anemone (A. apennina) was formerly abundant as an introduced plant 

 in Wimbledon Park, but it is now reported extinct. A rare crowfoot (Ranunculus heterophyllus 

 var. triphyllus) grows on Mitcham Common (H. and J. Groves), as well as the two less rare 

 plants R. Drouetii and R. trichophyllus. The London rocket (Sisymbrium Irio) formerly 

 occurred, but is no longer to be found. A very uncommon species of milkwort (Polygala 

 amara) was found some years since in the Caterham Valley (W. Whitwell). This particular 

 form of the species, called Polygala austriaca, is confined to Surrey and Kent. The hairy 

 vetchling (Lathyrus hirsutus), another very rare plant, is found on the hills in the same valley. 

 A yellow clover (Trifolium ochroleucum) was recorded from Duppas Hill so long ago as 1798 ; 

 but, as far as I am aware, it had not been seen there during the nineteenth century previously 

 to 1882, in which year Mr. Arthur Bennett informs me that Miss Bennett brought him a 

 specimen from the hill, thus confirming its occurrence in Surrey. The cowbane (Cicuta virosa) 

 formerly grew by the Thames side at Battersea. Gerarde also records the plant (1633) from 

 ' Moor Parke,' and it has been suggested that Moor Park near Farnham was intended ; but 

 the plant does not appear to grow there, and I think it more probable that Moor Park, Chelsea, 

 is the locality meant, and that it occurred on both sides of the Thames. The plant is 

 scarcely likely to be refound in the county, unless in the neighbourhood of the Thames 

 between Chertsey and Runnymede. The sea aster (A. Tripolium) formerly grew by the 

 Thames near Battersea (J. Britten), but is no longer a plant of the county. Among other 

 extinctions are the brookweed (Samo/us Valerandi), a goose foot {Atriplex marina), and the two 

 rare club rushes, Scirpus triqueter and Sc. carinatus. 



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