Clare Island Survey — Phanerogamiu. 10 21 



is also a series of pools on the cliff near the lighthouse, which forms the 

 only habitat of Utricidaria intermedia, and where Carex paniculata may be 

 seen growing one foot high. Patches of grass-land, apparently aboriginal, 

 occur occasionally in the heath-land area, generally where the Silurian rocks 

 have formed a friable soil, as on the northern slopes of Knocknaveen, and 

 again as long streaks on the steep gable of Croaghmore which dominates the 

 west end of the island. In the latter place, in the drier portions, Nardus 

 stricta is dominant with much Festuca ovina and Potentilla Tormentilla, and 

 some 



Erica Tetralix, Juncus squarrosus, 



E. cinerea, Carex glauca, 



Calluna vulgaris, Molinia caerulea ; 

 Anagallis tenella, 



but the composition of the vegetation varies a good deal according to the 

 degree of dampness of the ground. 



On dry banks throughout the moorland area Sedum anglicum, Jasione 

 montana, and Thymus Serpyllum are abundant and showy. TJlex europaeus 

 is confined to the east of the island, where there is plenty of it: Prunus 

 spinosa likewise, but in much smaller quantity. "Where the ground gets steep 

 or rocky, and some shelter is obtainable, Saxifraga umhrosa, Lastrea aemula, 

 and Salix repens at once appear, and all three ascend from sea-level to the top 

 of the Croaghmore cliffs (say 1,400 feet). Cliffy places, and the rocky banks 

 of mountain streamlets, supply a habitat also for a little stunted Oak and 

 Ash, Eowan, Holly, and Birch ; and nooks in the same places, as already men- 

 tioned, afford the only refuge of some woodland and lowland species, such as 

 Anemone nemorosa, Geum rivale, Fragaria vesca, Potentilla Fragariastrum, 

 Ajuga reptans, Orchis mascida (to 1,200 feet), Carex sylvatica, Aspidium 

 angulare. 



The only inland cliff of any importance forms a conspicuous patch of black 

 Silurian slates on the steep northern slope of Knocknaveen, overhanging the 

 " Green Eoad." It lies on one of the main faults of the island. Here the 

 vegetation is very luxuriant, and of shade type. Great masses of Saxifraga 

 umhrosa and Luzula maxima clothe the rocks, with much Aspidium angidare 

 and Scolopendrium vulgare, some Asplenium Trichomanes and A. Adiantum- 

 nigrum, Chrysosplenium oppositifolium, &c. ; some Corylus and Ilex, and one 

 bush of Pyrus Aucuparia ; a good patch of Lychnis diurna, which is extremely 

 rare in the district, and a little Stachys sylvatica. 



Where the ground rises into the dominating ridge of Croaghmore little 

 change takes place in the vegetation, save that, on account of greater drainage 



