[July, 1858.] 481 



NOTES ON THE FLOEA OP THE HIGH PEAK. 



The matter of this paper is collected from memoranda hastily 

 jotted down iu my note-book, during the intervals between 

 heavy showers, whilst on a pedestrian tour in the neighbourhood 

 of the Peak, on the 23rd and 24th May, this year, and I must 

 plead this as an excuse for the many imperfections which it 

 must necessarily contain, and which I hope the reader will treat 

 with lenience. Crossing the moors from Glossop to Castleton, 

 we found very little to interest us except the wildness of the 

 landscape, with here and there, in the deep recesses of the valleys 

 and gorges, little oases of great beauty, which would furnish 

 to the glowing canvas of the artist many an enchanting sub- 

 ject. The Flora exhibited nothing rare; the common heath- 

 plants only were to be found, as Luzula campestris, Vaccinium 

 Myrtillus, V. Oxycoccos, Juncus glomeratus, Sphagnum fimbri- 

 atum, with many others of a similar character, and, of course, 

 Calluna vulgaris, Erica cinerea, and E. Tetralix. On reaching 

 the clean little village of Castleton, embowered amongst the hills, 

 better success awaited us. Here of course our first point was 

 to visit Peveril Castle, immortalized by Sir Walter Scott. This 

 mouldering ruin of ancient glory frowns in stern magnificence 

 on the summit of a small but difficultly accessible hill, on which 

 we found Lychnis diurna and Saxifraga granuloia in abundance. 

 The decaying limestone of which the castle is built has fur- 

 nished a rich bed and locality for several plants which grow 

 principally on the Limestone formation, as Saxifraga iridacty- 

 lites, S. hypnoides, Draba verna, and D. muralis, which are suffi- 

 ciently plentiful to afford a good supply of duplicates. Geranium 

 molle, G. robertianum, and Stellaria Holostea, although common 

 plants, yet, in the mingling of the various tints and colours, add 

 greatly to the beauty of the foreground scene. 



Descending the hill, we arrive at the mouth of the Peak 

 Cavern, which will amply repay a visit ; and we should recom- 

 mend the botanist for the nonce to lay down his vasculum 

 at the entrance, and follow the steps of the guide to a distance 

 underground of 2400 feet, and he will not regret the change : 

 we did not. It was here that one of those pleasing incidents 

 occurred which always contribute much to the enjoyment of a 



N. S. VOL. II. 3 Q 



