Wickeii Fen. 
81 
Rhamni and Salices of the thickets may once again be replaced 
by stately forest trees, growing above the spot where their 
predecessors still lie buried in the peat. 
Thus it would seem that Wicken, the last considerable area of 
Fen vegetation, is once more doomed to dryness. The marsh plants 
which now grow there will gradually disappear, for they are fighting 
a losing battle. But, as in the rest of the Fenland, the aquatics 
will linger on in the lodes, and a few of the marsh species will 
continue to fringe their banks, long after Wicken Fen itself is dry 
land. But events move slowly, if measured by years, and all this 
will take a long time to accomplish. In the meantime, the present 
vegetation of Wicken Fen presents to the botanist a host of 
absorbing problems. 
DESCRIPTION OF PLATE IV. 
Illustrating Profkssor Yapp’s Paper on Wicken Fen. 
Fig. 1. Wicken Sedge Fen and Wicken Lode, in July. Landwards the 
fringing reed-swamp (in front of which is Castalia alba, Gr.) passes into the 
marsh. The latter is seen to be dotted with bushes. 
Fig. 2. Butomus umbellatus Linn., from a lode near Upware. July. 
Fig. 3. Adventurers’ Fen in January, showing the long parallel peat 
trenches, and stacks of cut peat. Trunks and stools of forest trees are 
frequently unearthed here, during the process of peat-cutting. The trees in 
the distance are on the drained area south of the Wicken group of Fens. 
