THE GARDENING WORLD. 
249 
December 15, 1894. 
while bones, in situ, were enough to startle the 
strongest nerves. Add to this the weirdness of the 
scene produced by lantern light, and the fact that, 
still further in, a subterranean stream trickled down 
the cavern's side. This water being largely sur¬ 
charged with lime, and sundry articles being placed 
about, the process of petrification was slowly going 
on; and the old fellow had several specimens in his 
museum which had been petrified in this way. Here, 
also, were evidences of fire ; which, possibly, had 
accrued in consequence of “ domestic ” exigencies 
ages and ages ago. But let us get back to the light 
and air, and resume our ascent of the Great Orme’s 
Head. 
I ought not, however, to omit to state that our 
friend was something more than an antiquary—he 
was a gardener ; and that the bit of garden ground 
which adorned his rude residence was 
entirely the work of his own hands, 
for he had carried every particle of soil 
up on his own back. As the cave is 
situated at some elevation, this was no 
common task, and, therefore, all the more 
creditable and indicative of the man’s 
intent. 
On the slopes about here there are 
two or three plants which must be 
noticed, and one is the Nottingham 
Catchfly (Silene nutans), with white, 
sweet-scented flowers. The rosy- 
coloured Crane’s-bill (Geranium luci- 
dum), a rather rare species, is another, 
and the blood-red Crane’s-bill (G. san- 
guineum) is also worthy of comment. 
This, like its congener, is only to be 
found in hilly situations, or near them, 
for it sometimes descends into the valleys, 
although it generally affects the grassy 
slopes of maritime cliffs. 
To those who still persist in calling 
Pelargoniums “ Geraniums," I would 
direct their attention to the inflorescence 
of our native species, when if they 
could not discover the difference be¬ 
tween them—well, I would not give 
much for their critical acumen. The 
Rock-roses, both the common and the 
Hoary Dwarf, are sure to appeal to all 
lovers of Alpine plants, for their gay, 
wheel-shaped blossoms which are said 
to follow the attractions of our golden 
orb, are so pure and so like him in 
colour that they might be mistaken for 
a disc of precious metal. 
The Wild Thyme is also a sun-loving 
subject, as well as a favourite of the 
bees. Sheep are said to browse off, and 
benefit by, its aromatic leaves and 
flowers. Whether this be so or not I can 
subscribe to Punch's parody that:— 
“ Taffy was a Welshman, 
Taffy’s not a thief; 
Taffy’s mutton's very good : 
Not so good his beef." 
Where the rocks are roughest, and 
where the sun is strongest, there will 
be found the white and yellow Stone- 
crops, but, strange to say there also 
grows, side by side, the smallest of our 
rock Ferns, the Wall-rue Spleenwort. 
The other Spleenwort, Asplenium marinum, can 
also be found, but it must be searched for in the 
dark interstices on the seaward side. In looking for 
this, however, one is sure to come across Asplenium 
trichomanes. 
But perhaps the most charming of all the plants 
is the common Hare-bell. Its flowers are exquisite 
both in point of shape and colour, for the former is 
well represented in its name, while the latter quality 
is indicative of the blue above. Campanula rotundi- 
folia is its foreign title, but as the round leaves have 
now all disappeared its specific name lacks con¬ 
firmation and support. Suffice it to say that:— 
" The sea-side air, 
Buoyant and fresh, the mountain flowers, 
More virginal and sweet than ours,” 
appeal to our better feelings, excite our enthusiasm, 
and enable us to understand the songs of love which 
the poets of nature are continually singing anent our 
native gems. And so it is here, for the Gorse and 
the Heather alone are sufficient to impress us in 
the'scents which they bring, with a physical freedom 
smother everything else within its reach. Its leaves 
are about 18 ins. high, pointed and involute. It 
occupies a large tract, and evidently intends to 
survive. But here is the Little Orme, which, now 
that we are at its base, looks less mild and insigni¬ 
ficant than distance gave it. When the wind is 
north-east and blowing a great gale, the sea breaks 
with terrific force upon its rugged sides, so that we 
have here, as on the other promontory, a number of 
natural caves. One of these rejoices in the euphoni¬ 
ous title of " Ogof Cythrenliaid," which, being 
Anglicised suggests avoidance, for it is “ The Devil’s 
Cave.” 
From the summit fine views are quite apparent, 
and well repay the trouble of getting there. That 
white house snugly nestling in the trees, we are told, 
is Bodafon, where formerly stood the residence of 
Afon, the son of the Warrior-bard 
Taliesin, the " Homer of Wales." 
As the vegetation here is similar to 
that of the Great Orme, we will per¬ 
mit the description to be taken as read, 
more especially as time flies and 
dinner awaits, for it is quite astonish, 
ing what a craving for food possesses 
one after a ramble over these eminences, 
and when to this is added sea-breeze 
and mountain air the effect is marvel¬ 
lous. Our next excursion shall be to 
the Elsyium of artists, artistically called 
Bettws-y-Coed, 
that is, the “ station in the wood.” 
This will necessitate boat or train 
assistance, and in availing ourselves of 
either we must pass up the beautiful 
vale of Conway, which the great 
Edmund Burke declared to be the 
"most charming spot in North Wales," 
and Mrs. Hemans, too, was particularly 
enamoured with ” the water, the hills, 
and the wood.” 
Bettws-y-Coed, then, may be said to 
be situated at the head of this vale, and 
near the meeting of the waters of the 
Llugwy with the Conway—a lovely 
situation certainly and one where one’s 
cup of beauty is filled to the brim. The 
village is well hotelled, if I may say so, 
and "temperance” houses of refuge 
seem to predominate. 
In a district where pure and sparkling 
water is to be had for the asking, what 
better fluid can be suggested for the 
slaking of one’s thirst. But as there 
are strange people about who persist 
in preferring the adulterated article, 
so there are picturesque places of 
entertainment where even they can be 
accommodated. The village, however, 
with its pretty cottages and inns 
to suit all sorts and conditions of 
men, will soon be out of sight if we 
follow the'mazy windings and rocky bed 
of the Afon Llugwy. Ah ! here is the 
Miner's Bridge, a rough-and-tumble 
structure set at an angle of about forty-five 
degrees, which of itself denotes the 
nature of the banks of this purling 
stream. Crossing over and following 
the north bank, which is considerably 
elevated above the south, we pass through woodland 
scenery of the most lovely character. As we pro¬ 
ceed we get occasional glimpses of the stream 
beneath, while as to its musical propensities they 
lise and fall continually in cadence sweet and clear. 
The uplands bordering the track of the turbulent 
river are very fine, and while the hillsides are 
densely clad in Pine and Ash, the Ferns simply revel 
in the warm wet woods. 
Nowhere have I seen these things of beauty in 
greater perfection and glory, for while the Polypody 
clings to the branches of the trees, and the Beech 
Fern loves to court the debris on the mountain slopes, 
the Lady Fern, lower down, spreads her great palmy 
branches in shuttlecock fashion, as if in pride, but 
really to obtain the maximum amount of light and 
air in the minimum space. She is at least a " tee¬ 
totaller,” she revels in aqua pura; but, odd to 
relate, a strange inversion takes place, for she 
positively imbibes it with her feet! 
A fine view of the Swallow Falls is now vouch¬ 
safed, which consists of a series of cataracts and 
and power not to be obtained at lesser heights, or 
under other terms. The highest point here is only 
750 ft., but the plateau is so rocky, rugged, and 
irregular that the term " mountain ” is fully justifi¬ 
able. 
But while we have been chatting, old Sol has been 
describing a considerable arc in the heavens ; and, 
although there is still plenty of food for reflection, 
we had better retrace our steps towards civilization 
and dinner, for without these aids to enjoyment we 
should not be able to pursue our course with satis¬ 
faction or success. 
Our next excursion may well be in the opposite 
direction. So let the 
Little Orme's Head 
be our vantage ground. On the way, however, we 
can just take a glance at the flora on the sandy 
Forsythia suspensa 
isthmus which unites the two promontories. To my 
mind the greater was once an island. But that was 
in prehistoric times—so let that pass. Here we shall 
be invited to examine the curious horn-like elonga¬ 
tions of the Sea Poppy (Glaucium luteum). Some 
of these measure nearly a foot in length, and are 
curved ; the blossoms being large and bright yellow ; 
while the whole plant is glaucous—hence the generic 
name—and full of vigour. The Sea Holly (Eryn- 
gium maritimum) also demands a word ; for its large, 
thorny leaves, scaly bracts, and bright blue flowers 
will not be overlooked. Its specific name, anyhow, 
sufficiently indicated its natural habits. The Sea 
Bindweed (Convolvulus Soldanella) can easily be 
recognised by its round kidney-shaped leaves, and, 
although not in bloom now, memory can readily 
recall its large purplish-pink flowers. It grows in 
pure sand on the dunes, or little mounds, in associa¬ 
tion with the Barnet Rose (Rosa spinosissima), and 
the Blue Bramble or Dewberry (Rubus caesius). 
The coarse and creeping Sea Grass (Glyceria 
maritima) is also here and makes a brave attempt to 
