153 
A brief Notice of some Plants observed growing in the Neighbour- 
hood of Streatley, Berks, and of Goring, Oxon, in April, 1854; 
with Additions of such Plants as have been gathered there dur- 
ing several visits in former years, viz., between 18383 and the 
present 1854. By WiLitAm Pamptiin, Esq., A.L.S. 
lr would be difficult to find two villages of more rural character, 
or, in every respect, more pleasantly situated, than Streatley on the 
Berkshire, and Goring on the Oxfordshire, side of the Thames. If 
you take a circuit of country, including the adjoining parishes of 
Moulsford, Aldworth, Bassildon, Pangbourn (Berks), and Whit- 
church, Mapledurham, Woodcot, and South Stoke, Oxon, you have 
altogether the greatest variety of beautiful scenery. ‘The silvery, 
winding Thames, with its rich meadows and ozier holts, a gradual, 
in some places a very abrupt rise thence on each side of the river up 
to the high chalk downs, extensive sheep-walk, and fine hanging 
woods of beech and fir, with here and there distant views over a fine 
open corn country, interspersed with villages and farms, afford a 
most delightful variety of scenery which cannot easily be surpassed. 
The view from the upper part of Streatley Downs, or from the brow of 
the hill, as you approach the village by the Aldworth road down a 
deep-worn hollow lane, is exceedingly pleasing; you have the two 
parish churches, well sheltered with tall trees and orchards, and the - 
adjoining country studded with picturesque cottages and old build- 
ings, with the fertile valley of the Thames, all lying spread before you. 
Now for the plants: before giving a regular list of them, it may not 
be amiss just to offer some general remarks upon the character of the 
Botany of the district. 
This is the head quarters for Anemone pulsatilla, now (April 21st) 
in full flower, Cineraria campestris, also in flower (April 27th), 
Orchis ustulata, O. militaris, and O. tephrosanthos, Iberis amara, 
Linaria repens, and in the corn and turnip-fields the beautiful large- 
flowered Veronica Buxbaumii is very abundant and ornamental. 
The Pyrola media also grows in largish isolated patches as you 
go from Goring towards Henley, but I have not noticed it on the 
Berkshire side yet. The chalk hills are studded with juniper and 
yew. Speaking of the yew, reminds me that in Aldworth church- 
yard there is a most remarkable and venerable tree; this yew-tree 
(noted by topographers) appears to be of extraordinary age, and is of 
VOL. V. x 
