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cimens of * Tilia grandifolia , of singular growth and large dimensions—drawings 
of which I exhibited at a meeting of the Linnean Society—stand in a meadow in 
the vicinity. Close to the church wall I also noticed a fine growing Oak tower¬ 
ing high in air; seventeen feet six inches in girth at a yard from the ground. I 
was much pleased to perceive that some friend of the Dryads—alas I too often 
now ruthlessly neglected—inhabited this quarter; for at the fork of the tree, where 
it divaricated into two vast arms, a piece of lead had been placed and so adjusted 
as to carry off the moisture from, and prevent its decaying, the trunk of the tree. 
From Ledbury to Hereford, and thence to Abergavenny, is a mass of old red 
sandstone, offering few features of interest either geological or botanical, till Mon¬ 
mouthshire is entered upon. The Wye itself is not very attractive at Hereford; 
and though the sombre massive cathedral and several singular, grotesque timber 
buildings in that last English city claim the attention of the antiquary, they do 
not, at present, further concern me in my vegetable explorations. As far as my 
observation extended, there appeared no difference in the plants to mark the old 
red sandstone from the new : perhaps the Roses are less abundant and luxuriant, 
R. arvensis rather predominating. It is somewhat curious that % R. vittosa in 
abundance is a distinguishing character in the Welch flora. In Worcestershire 
this is a rare species ; it is of more frequent occurrence in Herefordshire : for I 
observed it in considerable plenty along the hedge between the second and third 
miles from Hereford; but in Wales itself, as in the vicinity of Brecon and in the 
vale of Neath, its deep pink flowers covering whole thickets in the greatest profu¬ 
sion, offer an enchanting spectacle to the commonest observer. 
Between Ledbury and Hereford I observed Orchis maculata very plentiful 
in the meadows, and the fragrant Gymnadenia Conopsea sparingly. The latter, 
though stated by Mr. Watson to occur in all our floras, except that of Devon, is 
certainly a local plant, though overspreading whole fields where the soil is con¬ 
genial to it. 
At Trelew, between Hereford and Pont Rilas, is an Elm ( TJlmus campestris) 
of great height and magnificence. I omitted to take its dimensions, but was in¬ 
formed that it was two hundred and seventy years old. It stands close to an old 
farm house by the road side, and was probably planted when the house was erected. 
I heard something relative to this structure having been formerly inhabited by a 
family of consequence; but a mist has here risen upon my memory, which my 
memorandum book fails to clear up. The Elm seems to have advanced no farther 
in this direction ; and taking leave of the “ elmy granges,” so characteristic of 
England, I in reality entered South Wales at “ Monmouth Cap,” although still in 
England by act of parliament.* 
* Monmouthshire was made an English county, by act of parliament, in the reign of 
Henry VIII.; Welsh is nevertheless very frequently spoken by the country people. 
