606 THE FLORA OF PORTLAND. [November, 



Viviparous specimens of Juncus lamprocarpus are not unfre- 

 quent ; indeed, this species, together with J. acutiflorus, seems to 

 be peculiarly liable to this phenomenon. In the former species 

 the young plants are formed of stout, broad leaves, vrhich are 

 compactly bundled together, whereas in the latter the leaves 

 are much narrower, and diverge in different directions, offering 

 a remarkable contrast to, and easy means of distinction from 

 the former. 



We now propose to examine the sea-shore, where, on muddy 

 spots, Juncus cmiosus, with Aster Tripoliuni and Glaua^ maritima, 

 form the scanty Flora. Following our research still further sea- 

 ward, we shall perceive large patches of Zostera marina, so in- 

 teresting on account of its confervoid pollen and exclusively 

 maritime habit. These patches are known to the fishermen 

 under the name of grass-banks, and are much resorted to in 

 the winter by flocks of geese (chiefly Brent) and other wild- 

 fowl, as mergansers and common scoters, who feed on the 

 fronds that are found throughout the winter. Having finished 

 with the Flora of the under parts of the peninsula, we propose 

 to ascend the hill and examine the cornfields and rubbish-heaps. 

 Here we shall not be less delighted than with the parts already 

 described. ... A few years ago, when Portland had not ad- 

 vanced so far in civilization as at the present time, when cruel 

 Portland parents would not allow their fair daughters and hardy 

 sons to intermarry with any one but native islanders, — when if 

 you passed up through any of the villages, you had to run the 

 gauntlet between rows of aborigines, who crowded to their doors 

 to see the " Kimberlin," which, as a stranger, they were pleased 

 to designate you, — then (for agriculture was in abeyance with 

 the rest of industrial branches) the fields were only cropped 

 once in two years, being left fallow the remainder of the term, 

 and were crowded with the Bee Orchis and Arum maculatum. 

 From the corms-of the latter the famous Portland arrowroot 

 was made in abundance, but the rotation of crops which has at 

 length been adopted in the island has almost destroyed this 

 branch of industry, so that instead of being able to procure 

 some pounds, one can scarcely get as many ounces at the present 

 time. In Professor Lindley's ' Vegetable Kingdom,' it is stated 

 that the arrowroot is sent to London for sale under the name of 

 Portland Sago, but, as far as we have been able to glean, and 



