GROWING IN THE NEIGHBOURHOOD OF COLCHESTER. 23
have followed his arrangement of the species, in order to avoid
confusion. The paper is too fragmentary in character to allow
of any discussion or criticism of Gibson's nomenclature and
classification.
On occasions when visits to the neighbourhood by the Club
have been proposed, I have been puzzled to choose the direc-
tion in which the most interesting botanical excursion could be
directed. Although about 780 species of flowering plants have been
recorded within my limits, a fair proportion being uncommon, or
otherwise notable species, yet the more interesting plants are so
scattered that but few of their stations could be included in one day's
excursion. There is a fine piece of coast line to the east, most points
of which are within reach of railway stations; this is bounded by
extensive stretches of "saltings" and marsh lands. These saltings
would, I am convinced, well repay a thorough investigation. But few
botanists have been resident in the district, and, the marshes being
very extensive and but little explored, there is every chance of some
new plants rewarding a persevering search. Parts of this coast are
rich in forms of Atriplex, which would well repay working out by any
botanist who would undertake the task. At Berechurch, two miles
from Colchester, is a sandy tract, on which grow the very rare Filago
gallica and other interesting plants. I regret to say that Bergholt
Heath has been for some time entirely under cultivation, and many
good plants consequently exterminated.
I will first give a list of the plants which have been found since the
publication of Gibson's "Flora," and which were not recorded by him
for my district.
No attention seems to have been given to the Batrachian Ranun
culi by Gibson's co-workers in the Colchester district. These plants
will need a very careful examination, and as the opportunities I get
for working at a distance from the town are few, to obtain a complete
series of all our forms will be a work of time. I have, however,
gathered the following, for naming which I am much indebted to
Mr. Henry Groves :—
Ranunculus peltatus, Fr. var. truncatus. At Bourne Ponds.
Var. floribundus of Hiern. Mon. (probably Prof. Babington would
not admit it as his species) occurs in a pond near Colchester.
R. diversifolius, Gilib., var. godronii, occurs in a pond at
Thorington, and in a pond at Layer Heath.