1280 
MESSRS. J. B. LA WES, J. H. GILBERT, AND M. T. MASTERS, 
The general result would tlien appear to be due, partly to the direct effect of manures, 
and partly to association. In any case the plant seems to be steadily declining, and it 
is, at any rate, satisfactory to know tbat it may be eliminated by encouraging tlie 
growth of more valuable species. 
Plantago media , a weed of dry lime-stone districts, was not found in any of the 
samples, and was only observed on one occasion, viz.: on plot 4-1 in 1867. 
P OLY GON A CEiE. 
The Docks and Sorrels are the only representatives on the plots of this Order whose 
members are so readily recognised by their “ochreate” stipules and floral characteris¬ 
tics. The herbaceous species are most abundant in temperate regions, extending to 
the arctic regions on the one hand, and into sub-tropical countries on the other. A few, 
and these of arborescent habit, occur in tropical and sub-tropical America. It would 
seem, then, on the whole, that these plants can adapt themselves to almost any climatal 
condition except the excessive heat and moisture of the tropics. 
Rumex Acetosa. 
The Common Sorrel is a perennial, with a thick, somewhat woody, much branched 
rhizome, giving off stout, yellowish, relatively little branched, but deeply penetrating 
roots, often forming a dense mass of fine fibres, but destitute of root-hairs. The flowers 
are dioecious, the males on one plant, the females on another. It would be interesting 
to observe whether any, and if so what, differences exist on the several plots, or in 
different seasons, in the relative abundance of male or female plants. It flowers in 
May, and continues to do so throughout the summer, producing seed abundantly. On 
the bare places, on almost all the plots, seedlings of this plant were observed in the 
spring of 1875, as also in other years, but less conspicuously. 
The characteristics which are likely to be of advantage to this plant when growing 
in association are its hardiness, robust habit, deep and free-rooting, ample storage of 
water and nutritive matters in its root-stock, and its abundant production of seed. 
The following table shows the relative degree of prominence of this plant. 
