66 



THE BOOK OF NATURE STUDY 



closely cropped grass contrasts strongly with the sombre colouring 

 of a heather moor, or, it may be, with the rough appearance 

 of a grass heath. 



The natural herbage of pastures differs considerably, according 

 to the nature of the rock or soil on which it is growing. In many 

 localities it is possible, for example, to contrast the pasture of 

 chalk or sandy land with the alluvium or clay of the lower levels. 

 Much useful observation may be made and intelligent interest 

 aroused by endeavouring thus to correlate the character of the 

 vegetation with that of the soil. Of course, some plants spread 

 with almost every type of soil, but others will be found restricted 

 to particular kinds. The study of a sandy field on the one hand, 

 and a chalk pasture on the other, will not fail to prove interest- 

 ing and instructive. 



LIMESTONE PASTURE. The vege- 

 tation of dry limestone pastures 

 includes the following plants : the 

 most common grasses are the 

 Sheep's Fescue, the Fine Bent Grass, 

 and the Cock's-foot. Besides these, 

 Agrimony, the Woodrush, Thyme, 

 Milkwort, Eyebright, Salad Burnet, 

 Knapweed, Hawkweeds, Flax, 

 Yellowwort, and certain Orchids 

 occur. Ladies' Fingers (Anthyllis 

 Vulneraria) is very characteristic of 

 the chalk districts. 



The Sheep's Fescue (Festuca 

 ovina) is the most common grass 

 on elevated natural pastureland and 

 mountain slopes. It varies con- 

 siderably according to situation and 

 exposure, being sometimes not more 

 than two or three inches high, while 

 under more favourable circumstances 

 the flowering stems may reach a foot 

 in height. It is a densely tufted 



FIG. 26. Lady's Mantle 

 (Alchemilla vulgaris). 



grass, with very slender leaves, the 



