OF A LOCAL FLOEA. 
99 
Our own case is exceptional ; although, looking at the extent of 
country, it may be considered with some reason that in 
determining to work up the Flora of the Bristol Coal Fields, we 
have attempted a task beyond our powers. This, however, is 
the joint work of the members of the Botanical Section of this 
Society, some of whom have studied the Bristol Flora for many 
years. Also, our confreres, the geologists and entomologists, 
had already adopted the same area. For the sake of uniformity, 
therefore, we felt constrained to follow their lead. 
I believe I speak within the mark in saying, that the Flora 
of an average-sized county cannot be satisfactorily compiled by 
one man, unless nearly his wdiole life be given to the labour, and 
even then it would be impossible for him to claim that the 
district had been exhaustively searched. Doubtless there are 
extant, well-worked county Floras,; but it will usually be found 
that portions of the area had previously been examined, and the 
records used by the more ambitious Botanographer, whose work 
was thereby greatly facilitated. It seems right to lay stress on 
this point, as, without doubt, a Flora should not go forth until 
it has been made as complete as possible, and of course the 
more extended the area, the greater the difficulty in complying 
with this proviso. 
For be it remembered, that unless every yard of land be 
carefully examined, and every ditch and pool peered into, there 
can be no comfortable sense of having thoroughly done the 
work. Many species will have been overlooked. In proof, 
take the existence of Menyanthes trifoliata in Leigh Wood, the 
single spot for many miles around Bristol, where this plant can 
be found. Or the equally remarkable presence of Scutellaria 
minor on the margin of another pool, where it remained unheeded 
and unknown to the Bristol Flora, until a few years ago ; though 
scores of botanists must have passed yearly within a stone’s 
throw of the place. Perhaps more singular still, w^as the 
c 
