1857.] BOTANICAL SKETCHES. 235 



occurs sparingly, but still more so Euphorbia amygdaloides ; 

 while Verbascum Thapsus and Hyoscyamus niger may be observed 

 here and there attaining a great height. Teucrium Scorodonia 

 is quite a feature of the place, almost rivalling in abundance the 

 Glechoma hederacea we tread on at every step. Sedutn acre also 

 struggles for existence, now capping some huge rock, now strag- 

 gling at its base, or carpeting the plain ground. Hound's- 

 tongue and Bugloss are to be found here and there, but are not 

 so plentifid as the Hart^s-tongue, whose fronds peep up from be- 

 tween the rocks in great abundance. We also noticed two or 

 three specimens of Papaver somniferum, as well as some bushes 

 of Viburnum Lantana and Lithospermum officinale. 



The abrupt face of the cliff obliges us to consider about an 

 ascent, and a glance upwards convinces us that it would be advi- 

 sable to rest awhile and dive into the mysteries of a certain 

 packet of sandwiches; and we were scarcely seated when we de- 

 tected ourselves engaged in a search for the "pocket-pistol," 

 deposited in one of the crevices of our outward garment. The 

 process of feeding having been satisfactorily concluded, we still 

 rested awhile on the grass, and watched the steamer on her return 

 trip to Weymouth, until her dimension dissolved in the distance, 

 and the faint notes of the band on board no longer delighted our 

 eager ear. We then arose, and, after adjusting the strap of our 

 botany-box, commenced the ascent. The ground, although steep, 

 looked fair enough at first ; but oh, fair illusion ! we had only 

 proceeded a little way when a firm footing seemed out of the ques- 

 tion, and, despite the rapid revolution of our paddles, we made 

 but sorry progress. Rock after rock, stone after stone gave way, 

 clattering down the steep side of the cliff until they crashed on 

 the shore beneath. It will be satisfactory to our friends to know 

 that eventually we did reach the top, and felt considerably re- 

 freshed on learning that a road was in progress of construction ; 

 so that future explorers will have the satisfaction of saving a great 

 deal of labour, and no small amount of wear and tear. Here, 

 almost on the edge of the cliff, is perched the Coast-guard Sta- 

 tion, and after a friendly chat with one of the men, and a bumper 

 of invigorating fluid, we start on our way to Lulworth. The path 

 for about a mile is rather uninteresting, being only here and there 

 enlivened by the Harebell, that raises its campanula from the 

 coarse grass, in spite of a brisk but welcome breeze. " Durdle 



