"giBc pt^triBuftott of c^ivixxc^ 'g^fanfs 



in 'fetation to t^e piffercitt ^eorocjtcaC 



giormatiotts in porsef/' 



{Being the Ilia nscI-Phy dell Prize Essay for IQO'/.) 



By Miss L. TOWERS. 



jpHE subject before us must appeal to any lover of 

 Dorset since it calls for the expression of that 

 deep interest which Nature awakens in the mind, 

 when she displa3'S the wonders of her vegetable 

 and mineral kingdom so profusely as they are 

 to be found in this favoured county. 



When one gazes on the wooded heights in the 



full glory of sunlight, or, in the gloaming, feels the 



mystery' of her winding vales, who can but realise 



that Nature has many secrets to disclose to those who will woo 



her with earnestness and humility ? 



In searching for reasons for the great profusion and variety 

 of plant-life in the countv, our attention is drawn to the 



* The writer wishes to acknowledge her indebtedness to Mr. Mansel-Pleydell's 

 invaluable work on The Flora of Dorset, which contains two maps, one of the 

 geology of the county and the other of the divisions of the county for the 

 pui-poscs of the Flora. 



