DISAPPEARANCE OF PLANTS IN 
CUMBERLAND. 
WILLIAM HODGSON, A.L.S., 
Workington, Cumberland. 
THE following is a list of plants that have disappeared from old and 
well-authenticated stations within the county of Cumberland, with 
the probable causes of extinction. The numbers and nomenclature 
are those included in the London Catalogue of British Plants, 8th ed. 
Ivy-leaved Water Crowfoot. (22. Ranunculus hederaceus.) 
This species is mentioned as ‘ Hedera aguatica—water-ivy or 
ivy-leaved duck’s-meat’ in Bishop Nicolson’s list, and stated to 
grow, along with the following, ‘in the cittadel pond at Carlile.’ 
‘Cittadel’ and pond have alike disappeared, the site being now 
occupied by the Nisi Prius Court in almost the heart of the 
present city. 
(23. Ranunculus palustris rotundifolius var. sceleratus. See the 
foregoing.) 
Green Hellebore, ‘Fellin girs.’ (40. Helleborus viridis.) This 
plant has been annihilated at its old quarters at Threapland 
Ghyll, near Aspatria, owing to the working of limestone quarries 
for the supply of stone to the iron furnaces at Maryport. 
Smooth Round-headed Poppy. (54. Papaver Rheas.) Not 
entirely extinct, but greatly diminished in number within living 
memory, owing to the gradual abandonment of cereal tillage 
all over the county. £. dudium and P. Argemone keep their 
ground much better. 
Wild Wallflower. (75. Chetranthus Cheirt.) Mentioned by Bishop 
Nicolson 200 years ago, in the following terms :—‘On the walls 
of the Castle and Abbey at Carlile—copiosé.’ Mr. Duckworth, 
late of that city, in his ‘Wild Flowers round Carlisle’ pro- 
nounces it to be extinct there now. No reliable reason can be 
assigned for its disappearance. On many of our old castles and 
abbey walls it is still in evidence. 
Wild Sea-kale. (152. Crambe maritima.) Reported by the Rev. 
John Harriman as plentiful on the coast between Maryport and 
Workington, at the commencement of the present century ; 
where I have seen the plant in my early days. It has quite 
perished, owing partly to tidal encroachments, and yet more to 
the establishment of extensive iron works and the accumula- 
tions of ‘slag’ on ground once covered with sea-kale. 
- Jan, 189r. 
