2 THE EXISTING FLOWERING PLANTS OF EPPING FOREST.
accessible, towards the Lea and the Roding, especially towards the
latter river, which runs so near to the Forest in more than one place.
I was confirmed in thus extending the area by the opinion of Mr. W.
Cole, honorary secretary of the Essex Field Club, who, when con-
sulted on this point, suggested that the boundaries laid down on a
map published by the Forest Commissioners should be adopted
This map (see plate I.) represents the perambulation made in
17th year of Charles I., when the area of the Forest was 60,000
acres. As there delineated its boundaries are:—On the west, the
River Lea from Bow Bridge to Roydon on the Stort; on the south,
the Romford Road ; on the east, the Roding from Ilford to Abridge ;
thence the north-east boundary takes a somewhat irregular course to
beyond Epping, including the portion known as the Lower Forest;
thence by Epping Green past Nazeing (including the common and
village) on to Roydon. Of the northern part of this extended area I
know but little.1
[The reader is referred to an article in the present number on
the ancient boundaries of the Forest, and their retention for faunistic
purposes; also to the map of Epping Forest as defined by the peram-
bulation of Charles I. (plate I.).]
The Forest generally strikes a botanist accustomed to districts
less frequented by the holiday-maker as being rather bare of flowering
plants. Everything showy is, of course, carried off by the multitude
of visitors. The Primrose and Foxglove, once common, are now
seldom seen in bloom, and will soon, it is to be feared, become things
of the past. The less conspicuous Phanerogams are, however, still
numerous both in species and individuals.2
Notwithstanding the extent to which it is stripped of its floral
treasures by the thoughtless excursionists, there are times of the year
when, in certain parts, the Forest is gay with flowers. In spring the
Wood Anemone and Blue Bell are still tolerably abundant. In some
of the ponds the Water Violet (Hottonia palustris) makes a con-
siderable show, and, being for the most part out of reach, is
increasing. In some years the Hawthorn and Crab blossom furnish
a lovely sight, and the Gorse and Broom add a lavish tinge of gold.
1 It is in the northern and north-western parts of the district that additions to the list of
Epping Forest plants are most likely to be made. The Chalky Boulder Clay is a congenial soil
for many chalk-loving plants, which are, of course, very rare or absent on the gravels and clay of
the southern district. A good deal of useful work might be done on the slopes of the valleys of
the Lea and the Stort north-west of Epping.—W. Cole.
a I am glad to say that the Primrose is again asserting itself in the quieter parts of the Forest,
probably owing to the operations of the beneficent rule of the Conservators forbidding the rooting
up of the plants. There can be little doubt but that the rarity of the Primrose in the neighbour-
hood of London is mainly the work of the "plant grubbers-up," gathering roots for sale.—
W. COLE.