44 



Holes Bay. — Following the shore there is a moderate exten- 

 sion and solidity of the clumps, and, on approaching Hamworthy 

 Bridge, a tendency to "meadowing." Crossing the bridge and 

 proceeding to 



Hospital Island, the clumps are seen to be markedly larger 

 and many have joined together, giving an insular appearance as 

 seen from the railway. 



Parkstone Bay. — Here the addition has been gradual, but at 

 Whitley Lake the few clumps have only slightly increased. Pro- 

 ceeding to 



South Haven, and on to Bramble Bush Bay, it is found that 

 at this point the clumps have slightly increased in size, but not 

 in number. At Jerry's Point there is a considerable increase. 



Brand's Bay. — Rounding Redhorn Quay the grass, running' 

 parallel with the shore, has steadily extended to the south and in 

 the centre of the bay. Onward from this point a great change 

 has occurred to the westward and north-west towards Goathorn 

 East shore. In this area the increase is marvellous. Viewed from 

 Water Point the grass appears as one vast thick meadow 

 stretching in every direction and surrounding Drove Island. To 

 the north the bands off the shore of Branksea Island are far more 

 prominent than before. Surveyed in one mass the sight is the 

 most striking in the Harbour, but it is inferior in acreage to the 

 mass seen from Fitzworth Point. 



Goathorn Point. — Looking from the Pier to Branksea Castle 

 a large belt of grass is seen stretching from Furzey Island round 

 to nearly opposite Curlew Cottage, broken naturally by the White 

 Ground Lake and South Deep. From here it appears one con- 

 tinuous band with a channel to the north. A heavy belt follows 

 the shore to Hill Point, opposite which is Cleavel Point, a few 

 hundred yards away. To the south of these points is Newton Bay, 

 a large circular space, and here much increase has occurred and 

 the mud is thickly covered. 



Ower Bay. — From Countess Point and up the creek to the 

 westward " meadowing " is going on. 



Fitzworth. Point. — Being high water at the time of inspec- 

 tion, the grass was not seen to the same advantage as last year, 

 but in this, the largest area of Spartina to be seen from one point, 

 there is very extensive progress, notably between Round and Long 

 Islands and on to Grip Heath shore, Shipstal Point, Arne Bay and 

 Patchin's Point. To understand this vast area of grass it is 

 desirable to consult the accompanying map of Poole Harbour, 

 noting the various places named and especially the three main 

 channels — the Wareham and Wych Channels, running to the north 

 of Branksea Island and joining east of it, and the South Deep, 

 draining the southern shore east and south of the Wych Channel. 

 I now proceed to the distribution of the grass in this area, of 

 special interest as it was in this neighbourhood that it was first 

 noticed. 



