212 FLORA OF THE BRISTOL COAL-FIELD. 



ings of the plant at Keynsham, we have ho doubt 

 whatever that Moenchia did formerly grow on 

 Brandon Hill, the other station mentioned by him. 

 It may indeed lurk there still, though we fear it 

 has been trampled out of existence. 



There are some interesting facts connected with the 

 species found in association with the Moenchia. 

 They are all scarce plants in the vicinity of Bristol, 

 to be found for the most part in small quantities in 

 a very few places, and on the sanie geological 

 formation. But whether on Brandon Hill, at 

 Clevedon, at Mangotsfield, or in the Keynsham 

 locality, they are ever companions, sharing in 

 fellowship the barren and scanty soil upon which 

 alone they seem able to maintain themselves. It 

 may be that these plants are too weak and tiny to 

 exist among more robust vegetation, and that the 

 force of species competition is powerful in restrict- 

 ing them to the spots they occupy. It certainly 

 does not appear that dry and sterile habitats are 

 those best suited for the growth of the plants 

 in question. We have seen Scleranthus annuus 

 nourishing most luxuriantly as a weed on culti- 

 vated land, where it was taking full advantage of 

 depth of soil and elbow-room. But when at large 

 in the world, and left without favour to carry on 

 an unequal competition with the crowd of larger 

 species, the result in our experience is that it be- 

 comes banished to spots bare of, or unsuited to, 

 most other phanerogams. 



Scleranthus annuus, L., in Somerset. On the coal- 

 measures near Keynsham ; not very plentiful. See 

 page 33. 



