XXX INTBODUCTION. 



found in the wet depressions of the sandy banks, along with the 

 far more common E. polystachion or E. latifolium (E. pubescens, 

 Sm.) Eounding the southernmost point of the island, we find, 

 on the shore at Puekaster, Convolvulus sepium, var. incarnata, 

 and that remarkable form of the common Eeed [Arundo Phrag- 

 mites), with prostrate or trailing stem, of extraordinary length. 



The surface of the Isle of Wight is generally undulating, 

 being traversed centrally, from East to West, by a continuous 

 range of chalk downs, the spurs or branches of which reappear 

 on the South side of the ridge, in detached masses of consider- 

 able elevation. The highest of these, St. Catherine's Down, 

 rises [712] feet above the sea ; but, since vegetation is not mate- 

 rially changed at that altitude, most of the plants growing on 

 their rounded summits may be found in greater perfection and 

 with more certainty at or near their bases than higher up, 

 where the herbage is kejpt close-cropped by the numerous sheep 

 that pasture on their smooth and steeply sloping sides. 



The hundreds of East and West Medina differ widely in the 

 relative proportion of wood, meadow and arable land they con- 

 tain. The former is well watered, and better fitted for pastu- 

 rage than the latter, which is a more open or champaigne 

 country, adapted for corn, that is here raised in great quantity ; 

 but very partially wooded, though including within its limits 

 the ancient chase or forest of Parkliurst, now a mere govern- 

 ment nursery for growing oak for the dockyards. That tract 

 of West Medina to the South of the central chalk range is 

 almost destitute of wood, and the soil light and sandy. 



In former times the island was so thickly timbered that a 

 squirrel, it is said, might have traversed its entire length by 

 leaping from tree to tree; and, though this tradition bears 

 somewhat the impress of exaggeration, it is very certain that 

 the progress of agriculture and the requirements of the dock- 

 yard at Portsmouth have been, and are still, operative in rob- 

 bing the island of its sylvan honours. The only continuous 

 tract of natural woodland now existing is in East Medina, on 

 the North side of the chalk range, and marked by the course of 

 the stream which empties itself into the Solent below Wootton 

 Bridge, forming a labyrinth of coppice, interspersed with pas- 

 ture and arable, generally flat, and the timber of very moderate 



