BOTANY 



daffodil {N. Pseudo-narcissus, L.) is however frequent, and often grows 

 in great plenty, particularly on clay. Only eight stations are known for 

 Galanthus nivalis, L. (snowdrop), which is usually, if not always, planted. 

 The snowflake [Leucojum cestivum, L.) has perhaps been recently destroyed 

 in Plumstead Marshes, where it was certainly found up to 1888 ; it is 

 extinct at Greenwich, but probably survives by the Medway at Cuxton. 



LiLiACE^. — Asparagus officinalis, L. formerly grew by the Thames 

 at Greenwich and Gravesend, and still exists near Romney. Polygonatum 

 multijiorum. All. (Solomon's seal) is rare, though found in eight divisions ; 

 the only ascertained habitat of P. officinale. All. being Joyden's Wood, 

 Bexley. Convallaria majalis, L. (Uly of the valley) is local, rather than 

 rare. Allium vineale, L. (crow garlic) and A. ursinum, L. (ramsons) 

 are generally distributed ; A. oleraceum, L. chiefly grows in east Kent, 

 and is nowhere common. Scilla autumnalis, L, lingers on Blackheath, 

 and probably still occurs at Shorne Warren. Fritillaria Meleagris, L. 

 (snake's-head) used to be found at Bromley, Higham and Upnor, and 

 may yet exist in the two last-named stations. Gagea fascicularis, Salisb. 

 has been reported from West Coombe Park and Dartford ; Colchicum 

 autumnale, L. (meadow saffron) from Littlebourne and Cranbrook, as 

 well as (formerly) from near Plumstead. Narthecium ossifragum, Huds. 

 (bog asphodel) is quite scarce ; its only stations being at Bromley, 

 Keston, Hothfield, Willesborough and near Tunbridge Wells. Herb 

 Paris {Paris quadrifolia, L.), found in every district, abounds in many 

 chalk copses. 



JuNCACE^. — The scarceness of Juncus squarrosus, L. is strange, 

 considering the number of heaths in the county ; we only know of 

 about half a dozen distinct stations, though it is frequent near Tun- 

 bridge Wells. Some of those assigned to J. compressus, Jacq. doubt- 

 less belong to J. Gerardi, Loisel. y . maritimus. Lam. is plentiful, 

 ascending the Thames up to Erith ; but y. acutus, L. only extends 

 along the sandy stretch between Deal and Pegwell Bay. y . obtusijiorus, 

 Ehrh. is local and mainly submaritime. Luzula Forsteri, DC. abounds in 

 many parts, often forming hybrids with L. vernalis, DC. (' L. Borreri, 

 Bromf ') ; and L. maxima, DC. (great woodrush), though absent over 

 large areas, is not uncommon ; this also holds good of L. erecta, Desv. 

 {multiflora, Lej.). 



Typhace^. — Both species of bulrush are locally plentiful, T. 

 angustifoUa, L. probably more so than in any other English county. 

 Sparganium neglectum, Beeby, a recent segregate, will surely prove to 

 be frequent when better known ; and S. simplex, Huds. grows in 

 every district but 10. Excepting a Tunbridge Wells specimen in 

 Dillenius' herbarium, the peat-loving S. minimum, Fr. appears to be 

 limited to the brooks, Margate, and the marshes about Deal and Sandwich. 



Aroide^. — Arum italicum. Mill, flourishes near the south coast at 

 Folkestone, Sandgate, Shornecliffe and Postling. Acorus Calamus, L. 

 (sweet flag) has been found in Sturry Marshes (district 5), at Penshurst, 

 and by a pond in private grounds at Bexley. 



