Nov., 1892. RARE PLANTS OF THE SEVERN VALLEY. 
251 
Plow. Tlie Meadow Rue I have noticed also on the left bank 
opposite the Northwick brickfield, and in the Grimley brick¬ 
field to-day, whilst in the former brickfield itself, the not 
common Flowering Rush ( Butomus umbellatus). On Bevere 
Island I found last year Dame’s Violet ( Hesperis matronalis), 
and though doubtless an escape, it is still worthy of record. 
At the headland opposite the outfall of the Droitwich Canal, 
the Soap-wort ( Saponaria officinalis ) grows abundantly, and, 
I have traced this flower growing on either bank from 
Shrewsbury downwards. The Droitwich Canal is itself 
chiefly noticeable for the profusion of Wild Celery (. Apium 
yraveolens ) occurring on its banks, a remnant of the 
old marine vegetation of the Malvern Straits. In the 
Grimley brickfield to-day I noticed the Frog-bit ( Hydro - 
charis Morsus-rance ) growing in great profusion. Below 
Holt Lock, a few years ago, I gathered the Great 
Yellow Loosestrife ( Lysimachia vulgaris), but its specific 
name belies its occurrence in this countv. On Holt 
Bank I have found the Evening Primrose {Oenothera biennis ) 
growing apparently wild, as also at two other stations on the 
Severn. In Slirawley Wood the Giant Bell Flower ( Campanula 
latifolia) and the Spreading Bell Flower ( Campanula patula) 
flourish in great luxuriance, and the leaves of the Lily of the 
Valley ( Conv all aria majalis) are to be met with, but the flowers 
of the same are very scarce, and most botanists bear witness 
to the fact of its shyness in flowering when in a wild 
condition. I have myself searched a good half acre of these 
plants in Monk’s Wood, and found not a single bud. 
Campanula patula has a restricted range of distribution, and is 
principally confined to the counties of Worcester, Stafford, 
Gloucester, Norfolk, Surrey, and Kent. The Highland Cudweed 
(Gnaphalium sylvaticum ) grows in dense tufts in the wood. 
The Lesser Teasel ( Dipsacus pilosus) is a striking object on 
the banks of Dick Brook. I may mention incidentally 
that in August two years ago I saw a fine Otter ( Lutra 
vulgaris ) playing in the Severn just below Shrawley Wood. 
At Redstone Hermitage I have gathered Livelong ( Sedum 
Telephium), no doubt a remnant of the old hermits’ garden. 
At Blackstone the Maiden Pink {Dianthus deltoides ) is recorded 
as growing, but I have not been so fortunate as to find it in 
recent years. Lastly, I would mention the occurrence of 
Coronilla varia growing on the right bank of the Severn in 
great profusion in a patch a little below Dowles Church. This 
plant, though not admitted to the English Flora by Hooker, 
seems to me hard to account for here as an escape, as I am 
informed that it is not cultivated in the gardens of the neigh¬ 
bourhood, or at Arley, in the adjoining county. I have 
