HARDWICKE'S SCIENCE-GOSSIP. 



i7S 



done our best for the present race of our fellow-men 

 and also for our posterity ; then will the care for death 

 be minimised, and although we see for certain no 

 future before us, still we are always allowed to hope, 

 and to hope that whatever our future state may be, 

 if there is a higher one for us, we are safely bound for 

 it, having conscientiously lived not for ourselves, but 

 to raise the standard of life around us, and conse- 

 quently our own as well. 



John H. Barbour. 



A PLEASANT DAY AT PORTLAND. 



PORTLAND is a good place for botanizing, as 

 many plants, common and uncommon, may 

 be found there. For the geologist it is perfection, 

 and the entomologist will also find many specimens 

 of Lepidoptera. The island at the highest point is 

 said to be 490 feet above sea-level ; it is surrounded by 

 high rocks, and slopes away gradually towards the 

 south. 



On our arrival, we pass through Chesiltown, leaving 

 the far-famed beach to the right. We take a side- 

 path to get to the cliffs as soon as possible, and have 

 a tremendous hill to climb, but this difficulty is quickly 

 over, and the view amply repays us for the trouble. 

 Fossils abound here. We come across fine pieces 

 of fossil trees here and there. Upon reaching the hill 

 top, we follow the coast overlooking the West Bay. 

 Stone abounds everywhere, quarries with piles of huge 

 blocks, waiting to be carted away, carts with teams of 

 ten horses, for taking it over the tremendous hills, men 

 busy quarrying, and many of them seem to have a 

 knowledge that fossils are valuable. We find the 

 common carline thistle, Carlina vulgaris, said to be 

 a good weather-glass, and looking pretty with its 

 glossy colouring in the sunshine. A few bee-orchis 

 bulbs, Ophrys apifera, are just throwing up their 

 spikes of bloom. The sea from this high ground 

 looks perfect, with the Chesil beach stretching away 

 such a distance ; then, still further, the cliffs of 

 Bridport and Lyme Regis ; the little fishing-boats 

 below us look the veriest cockle-shells. We in good 

 time arrive at the lighthouse, then onwards to the 

 Bill of Portland. The sea is magnificent at this 

 point. In the distance a large vessel, beating up 

 against the wind for Portland Roads, is a charming 

 sight ; presently a steam-tug bustles out from the 

 port to guide her to her destination. 



After our rest, we found the most flowery part of 

 the island. Beds of pretty thrift, Armeria maritima, 

 cheer the eye, iu various shades, darkest pink to 

 nearly white ; then again, clumps of strange-smelling 

 samphire, used as a pickle. A pretty blue flower, 

 wild sage, Salvia verbenaca, grows in profusion, and 

 we find a few plants of hound's-tongue, Cynoglossum. 

 Then a fine plant of common borage, Borago offici- 

 nalis, which later will be found in great quantity. 



I Sea beet, Beta maritima, seems to abound here also, 

 as well as the yellow rattle. Over the cliffs beneath, 

 we have a fine view of some very large caves, and 

 beautiful patches of various-coloured sea-weed, 

 looking very lovely in the clear water; some long 

 floating pieces are not unlike snakes. One curious 

 thing in connection with one particular cave, is a 

 large hole in the ground, some distance from the 

 cliff; upon stooping down, the sea can be seen 

 dashing in, with curious effect. Butterflies are 

 scarce yet, to-day we only see the common blue 

 Alexis, the meadow-brown Jauira, and one or two 

 other early varieties, but the air is still cold, and 

 they can only be seen in little sheltered nooks., A 

 lovely sight is a field of trifolium, with its deep 

 crimson blossoms, and another of common saintfoin, 

 Onobrychis sativa with its bright pink flower. In 

 time we come to Pennsylvania Castle, encircled by 

 trees, a very charming residence, at least in the 

 summer ; but we have to leave this, and the more 

 interesting ruins of Bow and Arrow Castle, said to be 

 erected by William the Second ; neither can we now 

 go to the old church dedicated to St. Andrew, nearly 

 all traces of which have, however, disappeared. Only 

 a small portion of the wall remains, and a few tomb- 

 stones, to mark the spot ; we leave these old historical 

 ruins, and pass through the village of Wakeham, 

 now again taking the cliff path. We get now a 

 delightful view of the castle, surrounded by beautiful 

 trees, and looking so picturesque. This part is not 

 interesting for gathering specimens of flowers, and we 

 hasten onwards, soon to arrive at the garden of the 

 Governor of the convict prison, well laid out and 

 beautifully kept. The prison looks immense, and the 

 walls are of great height, presently we come to a 

 little group of convicts pulling a cart, harnessed not 

 unlike horses, which gives one a rather uncomfort- 

 able feeling ; one or two faces are rather repulsive- 

 looking, but the hideous dress helps to make them 

 look worse ; one of the number has a suit of blue, 

 which tells of a nearly expired sentence, and good 

 behaviour. The church dedicated to St. Peter is a 

 very interesting building, erected by convict labour. 

 The font we were told, was wrought by men utterly 

 unused to that sort of work in their former life, and 

 very nicely worked it is. The pulpit also should be 

 added, and the exquisite chancel pavement must not 

 be overlooked. Passing through the various villages 

 of Portland, one cannot fail to notice the cottage 

 windows, well-filled with flowers, especially in the 

 neighbourhood of the prison, and near the quarries, 

 one or two especially beautiful ; the most perfect 

 show of pelargoniums in a small space ever seen by 

 the writer, and in another ferns in perfection. Where 

 flowers are loved and well tended, there must be 

 something good in the owners; ; it is a task that well 

 repays one for all trouble. 



The day had so far ended, as connected with 

 Portland ; a most charming walk it has been, and one 



