882 
Wilson .—Plant Distribution in the 
condition only during the shade period. Convallaria majalis , L., and Poly- 
gonatum multiflorum , All., are found sparingly in the woods in the Swanley 
district; the latter blooms freely, but the former only occasionally produces 
flowers. Neottia Nidus-avis, Rich., is occasionally found. 
The dwarf shade flora is only slightly represented ; the following 
plants occur in small numbers :— 
Rubus fruticosus , L. 
Geum urbanum, L. 
Solidago Virgaurea, L. 
Lysimachia nemorum , L. 
Nepeta Glechoma , Benth. 
These plants are present in a small stunted form and rarely flower. 
Pteris aquilina occurs on the more stony soils, producing stunted leaves 
destitute of sporangia. 
( c) Woods on the Thanet Sand in the close vicinity of the Chalk. The 
following woods of this type have been investigated : — 
In the Faversham district: portions of Bysing and Perry Woods. 
In the Swanley district: portions of Farningham and Rowhill Woods. 
Woods of this type generally occur on the outskirts of the Tertiary 
outliers and in situations where the deposit of the Thanet Sand is of slight 
depth. Analyses of these soils are not at present available, but it appears 
probable that the percentage of calcium carbonate is higher in these than 
in the typical soils of the Thanet Sand. 
A considerable number of species make up the underwood of the 
copses. Chestnut ( Castanea sativa, Mill.) is generally the most abundant, 
but Ash ( Fraxinus excelsior , L.) and Hazel ( Corylns A veil ana, L.) are 
present in almost equal quantities, and in some cases form more than half 
of the underwood. Maple {Acer campestre , L.), Spindle [Euonymus 
europaeus, L.), Dogwood (Cornus sangumea, L.), Oak {Quercus peduncidata, 
Ehrh., and Quercus sessiliflora , Salisb.), and Willow ( Salix Caprea , L.) occur 
much less abundantly. Viburnum Lantana , L. ; Ligustrum vidgare, L., and 
Clematis Vitalba , L., are occasionally found. Oak standards (chiefly Quercus 
sessiliflora, Salisb.) are present in most of the copses. 
The ground flora bears a close resemblance to that found on the 
deeper soils of the Chalk, but differs in the relative abundance of Mercurialis 
perennis , L. This plant, as already described, occurs in abundance on the 
Chalk soils, but on the Thanet Sand only forms isolated patches of small 
area. It is interesting to note that, apart from its occurrence on these soils 
of the Thanet Sand in the vicinity of the Chalk, Mercurialis perennis is 
altogether absent from the woods of the Lower Eocene formations. 
Ajug a rep tans, L. 
Rumex Ace to sella, L. 
R 21 mex sa 7 igidne 2 is , L. 
Holcus mollis, L. 
