672 Proceedings of the Ruyal Iriah Acaclony. 



eupatorium is unusually common, while in similar situations near the 

 cliffs on the east, Arum maculatum is plentiful. 



One of the most interesting "finds" I made on Lambay was that 

 of an extraordinary luxuriant growth of Ofliioglossum vulgatum, at the 

 eastern end of the island, about a hundred and fifty yards inland south- 

 wards from Freshwater Bay, at the east side of the stream. This patch 

 extends over more than an acre and a-half of ground, and is so closoh' 

 grown that a sod of six inches square will often contain over a dozen 

 fronds. 



There is a distinct preference shown by several species for the 

 southern shores of the island, or it might be nearer the truth to say 

 that these, as a rule, avoid the northern coast from Lambay Head to 

 Scotch Point : these are — 



Viola hirta. Cynoglossiim officinale. 



Geranium sanguineum. Lycop&is arvensis. 



Erodium maritimimi. Statice occidentalis. 



Trifolium striatum. Beta maritima. 



Leontodon hirtus. Arwn maculatum. 



This preference is due, no doubt, to some superiority of aspect or 

 climate, since the situations are in other respects similar. Except this 

 negative one, the north side has no characteristic peculiarity in its 

 flora. It must be borne in mind that all the botanical interest of the 

 island lies around the margin. 



There are no indigenous trees upon Lambay ; sycamore, ash, beech, 

 and hawthorn have been introduced in the neighbourhood of the castle, 

 but these have hardly spread themselves. Elder, blackthorn, and 

 perhaps one sallow appear to be the only native shrubs. Eurze occurs 

 in a naturalized state, having spread to wild stations at the eastern side 

 and about Eaven's Eock ; it was, however, introduced for fencing pur- 

 poses about twenty-five years ago, as I am informed by Mr. Moncks, 

 the caretaker. Brambles form a dense and tangled undergrowth in 

 many parts of the island to the exclusion of other species. 



The absence of several plants which are abundant on Howth, a 

 promontory eight or ten miles from Lambay, with a similar flora, may 

 be noticed. Amongst these are Sarothamnus scoparius, JJlex europceus 

 and U. na7ius, Ononis arvensis, Artemisia vulgaris, Senecio sylvaticus, 

 Salix repens, &c. 



I am confident that few plants have escaped my repeated searches 

 over the island ; nevertheless, the absence of some common ones was 

 unexpected, for example : — 



[Stellaria holostea. Pedicularis sylvatica, 



Bunium flexuosum. Car ex stellulata. 



Daiicus carota, C. trinervis. 



Achillea millefolium. Blechnum loreale. 

 Ghrysanthcmiim leucanlhciuiuiu 



