228 Druce : Plants of the Steep Holme. 



non-scripta L. and H., Arummaculatum'L., Carex flacca Schreb., 

 Dactylis glomerata L., Pea pratensis L., Festuca rigida Kunth, 

 F. rubra L.,Bronms erectus'H.uds.,B.hordeaceus h. , Brachypodhmi 

 sylvaticum R. andS., Asplenimn Adiantum-nigrum L., A.Rnta- 

 muraria L., Polypodium vulgar e L. 



The two commonest species observed were Seduni acre, 

 which was in immense quantity, forming masses which give 

 just previously to flowering, a peculiar greenish yellow colour 

 to the rock-slopes ; and Smyrnium. No agrestal cultivation 

 exists on the Island, so that no Veronica, Papaver, Lamiuni. 

 Stachys, Capsella nor Lychnis alba was observed. But some 

 plants, usually put among the Colonists were noticed, i.e., 

 Anagallis arvensis, which was common on the barer slopes, 

 Sherardia arvensis, which rarely grew in turf, and Lycopsis 

 (several plants) were seen. No tree (except an evidently 

 introduced Acer Pseudo-platamis) other than Sambucits nigra 

 was noticed. Yet Scilla non-scripta, Vicia sepium, Coniiim 

 maciilatum — plants requiring some shelter were noticed. It may 

 be remarked that Scilla also grows on Flat Holme, where there 

 is no tree and no grass, the verdure in that island being chiefly 

 Spergularia, which I did not observe on Steep Holme. Hyperi- 

 cum montanum, Mercurialis perennis, Arum maculatum. might 

 probably be included in the last group of shade lovers. 



Cerastium pumilum was rather plentiful as it is on Brean 

 Down with which doubtless at one time the Steep Holmes was 

 united ; but neither Helianthemum polifolium, nor what I 

 expected, Koeleria vallesiana nor Apinella glauca could be 

 found ; but owing to the shortness of time and the somewhat 

 backward state of vegetation, my search was not exhaustive. 

 Among the more doubtful natives, Marrubium, looking quite 

 native, Hyoscyamiis and Diplotaxis tennifolia maybe mentioned. 



On the side of the rock where the chief treasure grows are 

 Allium Ampeloprasum in great quantity, and there also is the 

 Brassica Rapa form, while on the rocks in the vicinity are 

 Cheiranthus Cheiri and Kentranthus ruber. As to whether 

 Paeonia is native or not, I do not venture to pronounce. 



It may be remarked that I noticed no Hypochceris radicata, 

 Crepis, Rosa canina, Ranunculus acris or repens. However,, 

 we await further investigation before the reasons for these 

 absences, if such they really are, can be suggested. The 

 Dondia [Sueda'\ fruticosa, which Lobel thought he saw on the 

 rocks, may have been Inula crithmoides. 



Naturalist, 



