Wattam : Buckton Marsh, East Yorks. 299 



(Briza media), Crested Dog's-tail Grass {Cynosiinis cristatus), 

 and Cock's foot Grass [Dactylis glomerata). Associated with 

 these are the Mouse-ear Chickweed {Cerastiiim triviale), Creep- 

 ing Cinquefoil {Potentilla reptans), Great Knapweed [Centanrea 

 Scabiosa), Smooth Hawk's-beard {Crepis virens). Yarrow 

 {Achillea Millefolium), Harebell {Campanula rotundijolia), 

 and others. As will be seen by the crossed portions on the 

 sketch-map, the area which has been practically conquered 

 by wet-loving plants is of considerable extent, and the cotton 

 grass remnant is encircled by this phase of vegetation. The 

 reclamation of these areas is no doubt due to the drain, the 

 waters of which have cut across practically from east to west, 

 a channel of varied depth, and as this channel deepened it 

 drained the area in a natural manner. The conditions becom- 

 ing less water-logged, the rushes, sedges, and grasses acted 

 as pioneers in ousting the cotton grass, and paved the way for 

 the other wet-loving plants which here make home. These 

 areas having a peaty subsoil, still retain a considerable amount 

 of moisture. 



The rushes which occur here are the Jointed Rush {Jiinciis 

 acittiflorus), Spreading Rush (/. effitsus), and Toad Rush 

 {/. biifonius), where competition is not severe. The chief 

 Sedges are the Pink-leaved Sedge {Carex panicea). Yellow 

 Sedge (C. flava), and Glaucous Sedge (C. glaiica), and the grass 

 sward is comprised of the Tuftecl Hair Grass {Deschampsia 

 ccBspitosa) as dominant. Soft Grass {Holciis lanatus), and 

 Cock's-foot Grass. Completing this moist-loving complement 

 are Lesser Speartwort {Ranunculus Flammula), Creeping Crow- 

 foot {R. repens), Marsh Marigold {Caltha palustris), Water 

 Cress {Nasturtium officinale), Ladies' Smock {Cardamine 

 pratensis), Marsh Stitchwort {Stellaria uliginosa). Ragged 

 Robin {Lychnis flos-cucnli) , Marsh Bedstraw {Galium palustre). 

 Marsh Valerian {Valeriana dioica). Marsh Thistle {Cnicus 

 palustris), with white flowered form, Sneezewort ( Achillea 

 Ptarmica), Water Mint {Mentha aquatica), Common Bugle 

 ( Ajuga reptans), Spotted Orchis {Orchis mactdata), and Smooth 

 Horsetail {Equisetum limosum). Where richer humus has 

 accumulated, and conditions tend to a drier state, other 

 pla,nts are gradually asserting themselves, such as Red Clover 

 {Trifolium pratense). White Clover {T. repens), Least Clover 

 ( r. dubium), Greater Birdsfoot {Lotus tenuis). Tufted Vetch 

 {Vicia Cracca), Black Knapweed {Centaur ea nigra). Field 

 Sorrel {Rumex acetosa), Rye Grass {Lolium perenne), and Cat's 

 Tail Grass {Phleum pratense). 



The extreme verge of the cotton grass bog remnant is 

 bordered by a growth of wet-loving grasses, the species being 

 the Whorled Grass {Catabrosa aquatica). Water Sweet Grass 

 {Glyceria fluiians). Tufted Hair Grass and Elbowed Fox-tail 



1912 Oct. I. 



