n 



EXCAVATIONS ON ROMAN SITES IN BRITAIN. 405 



Stellaria media (Chickweed). 



Ruhusfruticosus (Blackberry). 



Conmm maculatum (Hemlock). 



JEthusa Cynapiviii (Fool's Parsley). 



Anethum graveolenx (Dill). 



Sambiiats nigra (Elder). 



Galeopsis Tetrahit (Hemp-nettle)] 



Smchusasper ■ • • • • • • | (Sow-thistles). 



„ oleraceus ? One damaged seed . . J ^ 



Chenoi>odhim (Goosefoot). 



Atriplex pat Ilia (Orache). 



Polygonum avioulare . , . . • (Knot-grass). 



Rumex (Dock). 



Corylus Avellana (Hazel). 



(cl) Re])ort on the Plant Remains for 1904. — Mr. Clement Reid, 

 who has kindly examined the samples of earth submitted to him, reports 

 generally as follows ^ : ' Wheat is abundant, mixed with tares. We find 

 also the celery and dill. The latter occurs also at Silchester. The remain- 

 ing plants are weeds, such as elder, dock, and stinging nettle, with traces of 

 willow and cottongrass, suggesting wetter places. No cultivated fruits 

 have yet been found, the only edible species being the blackberry.' 



In his report for 1905, Mr. Reid adds a general summary as follows : 

 • The Roman flora of Caerwent, as far as yet known, bears a close resem- 

 blance to that of Silchester. The same introduced plants and weeds of 

 cultivation appear at each locality, and at each there is the same remark- 

 .able absence of many of our most common recent forms ; the dandelion, 

 daisy, white dead-nettle and all the veronicas, for instance, are missing. 

 The cultivated plants include wheat (mixed with tares) and barley, both 

 in the state of carbonised grains, and also apple ; but as yet we have 

 none of the cultivated plums or cherries. As at Silchester, we find seeds 

 of the deadly nightshade, common nightshade, and hemlock — as though 

 their berries were used for some purpose — and we know that the berries 

 of the belladonna were once commonly employed in the toilet. Of seeds 

 used as condiments we have as yet only some badly preserved specimens, 

 perhaps belonging to dill, a plant which has lately been identified at 

 Silchester. Grape and fig have not yet been found. Among the weeds 

 of cultivation we notice the tare, wild radish, star-thistle, and vervain. 

 The two latter are interesting finds, for the star-thistle is a very local 

 plant in Britain, and is often considered a doubtful native ; whilst the 

 vervain, much used in magic, has not before been found, and our earliest 

 record till now was contained in the herbals.' 



APPENDIX B. 



Excavations on the Site of the Roman Fort known as Melandra Castle, 



Derbyshire, 1905. 



The excavations carried out at Melandra during 1905 have had as 

 their main results : (1) The uncoverhig of the foundations of the 

 northern and southern gateways. (2) The uncovering of the greater 

 part of the stone rampart surrounding the fort. (3) (As one result of 

 the above) The determination of the exact dimensions of the fort. 

 (4) A more careful examination of the rampart. 



' The list is singularly like that of Silchester. 



