116
"REPORT ON THE FLOWERING PLANTS
GROWING IN THE NEIGHBOURHOOD OF
COLCHESTER."
Additions and Corrections.
By J. C. SHENSTONE, F.R.M.S.
Ranunculus parviflorus, L. I have recently been informed by
Miss M. Gripper that this uncommon plant occurs on three different
banks in the parish of Layer Breton. Gibson's localities for the
plant in this part of Essex are Colchester, Walton, Tiptree Heath,
and Totham Church; the last two places being just outside my
district. I have already reported (Essex Naturalist, page 29) that
I once, and only once, found the plant at Braiswick, a mile north of
Colchester, but that it occurs plentifully just over the border of the
county at Stoke-by-Nayland. The new locality given me by Miss
Gripper confirms my suspicion that some plants, apparently rare in
this part of Essex, are in reality much more widely distributed than
we suppose.
Crithmum maritimum, L. An unfortunate clerical error
occurred in my remarks upon this plant, making them somewhat
unintelligible. The words "Marsh Samphire" commencing the
fourth line from bottom of page 26 ante, should read " True, or Sea
Samphire." The error must have crept in when my notes were
transcribed for the press.
Eryngium maritimum, L. In quoting from Morant, I stated
(Essex Naturalist, page 30, fifth line from bottom of page) that
"they were first candied in this town about the beginning of this
century." The quotation should read "the beginning of last cen-
tury," i.e., the beginning of the 17th century.
Castanea. I have already called the attention to some remark-
able oak trees at Thorington (Essex Naturalist, page 34). I have
had pointed out to me the following extract from Evelyn's "Sylva,"
1664, page 82 :—"To speak first of the bulks of some immense trees
—there was standing an old and decayed chestnut at Fraiting, in
Essex, whose very stumps did yeild thirty sizeable loads of logs."
Frating is the adjoining parish to Thorington—it would therefore
appear that the district was favourable to the growth of large timber.
It is rather difficult to estimate the size of this chestnut tree. I am
told that a pollarded tree two to three feet in its largest diameter and
ten to twelve feet high, would yield a "sizeable load of logs."