42 



lowing a path in the side of it, which at the top, by crossing 

 a field takes one into a network of lanes — it was in one of 

 these lanes I came on a bank adorned with these flowers. I 

 believe they are very rarely found here, these are the only ones 

 I havp ever seen. I may mention that this same lane abounds 

 with a variety of wild flowers, the Wood Sorrel (Oxalis aceto- 

 sellaj, the White Dead Nettle (Lamium album), the Yellow 

 Weasel Snout (Galeobdolon luteumj, Primroses, Violets, Blue 

 Bells, Lychnis, Bugle, and some lovely ferns. 



A walk through the Alkham valleys will well repay the 

 Botanist ; it is one of our richest localities. Leading from 

 the main road, on the left hand side, is a wood full of Lent 

 Lilies fPseudo Narcissus). This year I found them open as 

 early as the 25th of February, but I warn whoever goes in 

 search of them to be provided with strong boots, and clothes 

 warranted not to tear, for they are guarded by the most for- 

 midable of thistles, and the most vicious of brambles ; many 

 a shriek has proceeded from the luckless young friends I have 

 sometimes taken with me in my excursions, and I really cannot 

 describe the various accidents which have befallen them. 



To return to the hills above Folkestone. They abound 

 with early and late Spider Orchis (Ophrys aranifera and O. 

 arachnites), the Bee Orchis (O. apifera), the Ladies' Tresses 

 (Neottia spiralis). Dwarf Orchis, &c., &c. ; so also the Little 

 Milkwort (Polygala vulgaris) in endless variety of colour, the 

 Yellow Rock Rose ( Helianthemum vulgare), the Perfoliate 

 Yellow Wort, and varieties of the Bellflower ; in fact, so great 

 a variety is there to be found, that on one occasion I counted 

 40 kinds of flowers open at one time in a distance of about 

 100 yards. I must mention that on the Canterbury road, not 

 far from the Chalk Pit, I have found the sweet Milk Vetch 

 ( Astralagus glycyphyllos). The only other places near here 

 that I have found it in, are near Aldington and above Bra- 

 bourne on the road to Wye. We come now to May, that 

 delicious month to the lovers of Nature, and especially rich 

 for the Botanist. I hear in a wood near Etching Hill that 

 the Solomon's Seal ( Convallaria multiflora) is to be found. I 

 determine to find it. It is a very dense wood on the side of 

 a hill, and necessitates crawling along, on hands and knees, 

 uphill ; but away we go. How lovely is the moss, |now full 

 of Primroses — now full of Bluebells. What is that crawling 



