260 A HISTORY OF LONGRIDGE. [Chap. 12. 



afford a good dish. Of these the most notable are Boletus edulis, 

 CHtocybe nebularis, C. dealbatus, and the much-lauded Lactarius 

 deliciosus, of which Sir J. Smith has written, "it really deserves its 

 name, being the most delicious mushroom known." 



During winter and early spring the walls and rocks in the district 

 are covered with mosses and hepatics, in fruit, for which we would seek 

 in vain during the hot weather. 



Although our district cannot boast the presence of many rare flowering 

 plants, we have an abundance and great variety of the more common 

 species. The absence of the less common species is due partly to the 

 character of the soil, and partly to the physical geography of 

 the district. Certain plants thrive, and are therefore found in 

 their wild state, upon calcareous soils, others upon peaty or 

 boggy soils, and others again upon sandy or clayey soils. Some 

 choose a dry situation, while others revel in moisture, or are 

 altogether aquatic in habit. Some flourish in elevated and exposed 

 situations, and others only where they may be sheltered from fierce 

 wintry winds or the scorching rays of the midday sun. 



In a given short radius from Clitheroe a greater number of botanical 

 species will be found than in a similar area with Longridge as centre. 

 This is due to greater fertility of soil and greater variety of habitat 

 afforded by the former area, owing to the presence of the Carboniferous 

 Limestone in fair abundance at or near the surface. The soils, if not 

 themselves derived from or overlying the limestone, are irrigated by 

 water containing it in solution. Chemical analyses show that lime in 

 some form is absolutely necessary to the life of most plants, and that 

 many contain it in large proportion. Some, indeed, are not content 

 with the lime required by their internal economy, but, in addition, 

 secrete a thick layer upon their exteriors until not a vestige of the 

 green matter of the plant is visible. 



The highlands of our district are of grits, and the water yielded by 

 these, although excellent as a potable article, is less so as a fertiliser. 

 Moreover, the soils derived from these rocks are cold and uncongenial 

 to many plants that may be considered fairlj' common in most localities. 



