1858.] THE FLORA OF PORTLAND. 603 



Rubia peregrina, while, starting up from their more lowly neigh- 

 bours, Euphorbia amygdaloides and Stellaria Holostea occupy an 

 important position in the floral landscape. The shrubby plants 

 are represented by Viburnum Lantana, Cornus sanguinea, and Li- 

 gustrum vulgare. Geranium robertianum and lucidum are to be 

 found among the loose rock ; the latter only at that part under- 

 neath the Barracks, on the Grove. Here also^ growing in the 

 open space, we meet with Carduus acaulis, nutans, and marianus, 

 also Carlina vulgaris with Asperula cynanchica. Lithospermum 

 officinale is very abundant, and towards the south is replaced by 

 Borage, Bugloss, and Hound's-tongue. Perched upon the driest, 

 spots, or more frequently in the bare dirt on the cliffside, our 

 limestone-loving friend Poterium Sanguisorba abounds, and He- 

 lianthemum vulgare occurs more rarely in somewhat similar spots. 

 Lady botanists may here furnish their vascula with Asplenium 

 marinum, A. Ruta-muraria, and A. Trichomanes ; the latter may 

 be found in great variety, some with the pinnse placed alternately 

 on the rachis, others with the leaflets so tiny that the serratures 

 are altogether absent, and the fronds, drooping over the rocks, 

 have the appearance of the trailing stems of the Bog Pimpernel. 

 The other Ferns to be met with are the Male Fern, Polypody, 

 Pteris, and Hart's-tongue. Dwarf specimens of the latter, bear- 

 ing fronds not more than an inch in length, frequently peep from 

 the little niches formed by the disappearance of some fossil shell 

 from its rocky bed. Not. unfrequently in similar situations Hip- 

 pocrepis comosa fixes itself, flourishing on the mould formed by 

 the decay of some less hardy plant that succumbed to the scorch- 

 ing sun and sapless rock. Among the CruciferiS Sur principal 

 ones are Arabis hirsuta and Cochlearia officinalis, being the va- 

 riety danica. This latter plant, although scarcely so pretty as 

 the Hairy Wall-cress, has this advantage, that it appears in pro- 

 fusion at that time of the year when vegetation in general has 

 scarcely received the impulse of spring. It is especially pretty 

 in those situations, as on rocks and walls, where the scanty soil 

 gives no encouragement to a succulent growth, but at the same 

 time allows its pretty pink flowers to bloom with vigour. In 

 Orchidaceous plants we have little variety, but this is compensated 

 by their comparative rarity ; Orchis pyramidalis, Spiranthes 

 autumnalis, and Ophrys apifera being the representatives. The 

 former is seldom met with^ except on the east of the island, but 



