A HISTORY OF BERKSHIRE 



the cress (Teesdalia nudicau/is), the catchfly (Silene anglica), the spurrey (Spergula sativa), the 

 clovers T. medium, T. arvense, T. striatum, T. filtforme ; the wild licorice (Astragalus glycy- 

 phyllos, lady's ringers (Anthyllis), the vetches Vicia gracilis and V. lathyroides, the grass leaved pea 

 (Lathyrus Nissolia), the everlasting pea (L. sylvestris), a rose (R. mollissima var. pseudo-mollis, 

 (Baker f.), Druce), the hare's ear (Bupleurum rotundifolium), a hybrid bedstraw (Galium verwn 

 x Mollugo), the thistles Cnkus eriophorus and C. pratensis, the saw-wort (Serratula), the hawk- 

 weeds H. sciaphilum, H. rigidum, H. boreale ; the scabious (Jasione montana\ the Canter- 

 bury bell (Campanula rapunculoides), now extirpated ; the ivy-leaved bell flower (Cervicina 

 \Wahlenbergia~\ hederacea, tracts of ling and heather, the bog pimpernel (Anagallis tenella\ 

 the blue pimpernel (A.femina), the yellow wort (Blackstonia), the toadflaxes Linaria spuria, 

 L. Elatina and L. viscida ; the clary (Salvia Verbenaca\ the cat mint (Nepeta Cataria), the 

 plantain (Plantago Coronopus), the large bindweed (Polygonum dumetorum), the orchids Neottia, 

 Epipactis latifolia, E. pa/ustris, Orchis pyramidalis, 0. latifolia, Ophrys apifera, Habenar.ia conop- 

 sea, H. viridis, H. btfolia ; the gladdion (Iris faetidissima), the daffodils N. major and N. Pseudo- 

 narcissus], the lily of the valley (Convallaria), the ramson (Alllum ursinum), the garlic (A. 

 vineale), the star of Bethlehem (Gagea), and many sedges and grasses already mentioned are 

 some among the many rarities of this rich area. 



The Thames meadows from Oxford to Abingdon have afforded Thalictrum flavum 

 Myosurus, Stellaria palustris, Slum latifolium, CEnanthe silaifolia, Hottonia, Samo/us, Polygonum 

 minus, P. mite, Rumex maritimus, Hydrocharis, Leucojum tsstivum, Fritillaria, Typha angustifolia, 

 Zanniche/lia pa/ustris and var. repens, Eleocharis acicularis, Acorus Calamus, Scirpus caricis, Carex 

 vesicaria, C. Pseudo-cyperus, C. distans, Juncus compressus, Catabrosa, Tolypella prolifera, and T. 

 intricata among many interesting species. 



The meadows at Marcham on the Kimeridge clay, in which there is a saline spring, 

 have already been alluded to, and the course of the brook through the meadow may be traced 

 by the growth of the wild celery which fringes its margin. In this vicinity there are also 

 Sagina nodosa, Callitricha obtusangula and Carex axillaris. 



On the slopes of the chalk downs as about Blewbury we have, in addition to many 

 plants previously noted, Anemone Pulsatilla, Fumaria Vaillantii, F. densiftora, F. parvtflora t 

 Papaver hyiridum, Valerianella rimosa, Gentiana germanica, Crepis biennis, C. taraxacifolia, 

 Senecio campestris, Orchis ustulata, Gyrostachis (Spiranthes) autumnalis, Ga/eopsis speciosa, Linaria 

 repens, Juniperus, Taxus, Carum segetum, Ophrys muscifera, 0. apifera, Bromus interruptus and 

 Phyllitis vulgaris (Sco/opendrium). About Dry Sandford Tordylium was once gathered, and the 

 thistle (Cnicus tenuiflorus) and the wormwood (Artemisia Absinthium) occur, while the abundance 

 of Calamintha montana (C, officinalis) is remarkable. In the park at Besilsleigh several species 

 are naturalized, including Galanthus, Tulipa, Ornithogalum umbellatum and Campanula Rapun- 

 culus, while Miss Walker has found Salvia pratensis in the meadows, and the leopard's bane 

 (Doronicum Pardalianches) and the cudweed (Filago spathulata) and the great broom rape (Oro- 

 banche major (0. elatior, Sutton) are in the vicinity. 



Among the noticeable absentees from the district are Narthecium, which was eradicated 

 about a century ago, Scutellaria minor, Millegrana, Hypericum Elodes, Scirpus ctespitosus, Geum 

 rivale and Cerastium quaternellum, but this latter is likely to occur about Frilford. 



The large meadow near Abingdon has a rich fen vegetation in which Ranunculus Lingua 

 is a conspicuous species, and the water soldier (Stratiotes Aloides) almost chokes the trenches of 

 stagnant water, where Lemna trisulea, Hydrocharis and Hottonia abound, and on the banks of 

 which Polygonum minus and mite occur. Orchis latifolia and incarnata and Menyanthes are also 

 abundant, and the variations of Carex acuta are remarkable. Samolus Valerandi is also in the 

 vicinity. 



Among other interesting plants of the Ock district not yet alluded to are : 



Adonis annua, L. [Lepidium Draba, L.} 



Ranunculus parviflorus, L. Roripa amphibia var. variifolia, Druce 



[Delphinum Ajacis, Reichb.] [Thlaspi perfoliatum, L.] 



Berberis vulgaris, L. Tunica prolifera, Scop. (? extinct) 



Fumaria confusa, Jord. Saponaria officinalis, L. 



capreolata, L. [ Vaccaria, L.] 



muralis, Sond. Arenaria tenuifolia, L. 

 Sisymbrium Sophia, L. x Viola permixta, Jord. 

 Erophila praecox, DC. Geranium pyrenaicum, UHer. 

 [Camelina sativa, Cr.] Malva sylvestris, L., var. lasiocarpa, Druce 

 [Isalis tinctoria, L.] [_ pu silla, SOT.] 



54 



