15 



chonella and Terebratula. The Lias clay yielded good specimens 

 of several of the species most characteristic of the fauna of the 

 lower Liassic period : doubtless, had time permitted, the list might 

 have been largely increased. 



Though the area examined by the Club on this occasion yielded 

 no plants of great rarity, yet it was not without interest to the 

 botanical student. The rugged charms of the scenery were 

 heightened by the presence of many of the principal ornaments to 

 our native flora. Here, untrimmed and untamed by the hand of 

 man, they rejoiced in all the freedom and luxuriance of nature. 

 The shady recesses of the cliffs were garlanded by the trailing stems 

 of the Wood- Vetch (Vicia sylvatica), the handsomest of British 

 climbing plants. Its large and elegant papilionaceous flowers, dis- 

 played in profusion, tended to modify and soften down the harsher 

 features of the scene, if, indeed, any of Nature's works could appear 

 harsh under the glowing sunlight of such a day. Campanula 

 rotundifolia was seen to the greatest advantage on its native rocks 

 and among the heath. This is the Harebell so much loved and 

 sung by poets : — 



" E'en the slight harebell raised its head, 

 Elastic from her airy tread." 



Its conspicuous, yet modest, flowers were in all the freshness of 

 their early bloom, and justified the preference accorded by so many 

 refined and cultivated minds. The Agrimony (Agrimonia eupatoria), 

 noted among herbalists as a " vulnerary," was found plentifully on 

 dry banks. In some parts of the country, where primitive customs 

 still prevail, its leaves are used as a native substitute for the tea of 

 the Celestials. The tall spike of showy yellow flowers gives out a 

 fragrance not unlike the odour of the apricot. Of Ferns, the only 

 thing to notice is the Sea Spleenwort (Asplenium marinum). This 

 was found on the rock cliffs, and good specimens were secured, not 

 only for the Tiortus siccus of the botanist, but for the conservatory 

 of the pteridologist as well. 



