26
NOTES ON SOME ESSEX WOODS.
wood will be observed to stand somewhat higher than the sur-
rounding country.
With such a record of purity we can with some confidence
say that we here behold the lineal descendants of the forest
trees of past ages, and we shall not be trespassing on imagination
if we attempt to discuss the contents of the woods as an indigenous
flora.
In treating of the denizens of these woods, I purpose noticing
only those which may be described as characteristic species;
that is to say, common to nearly or quite all of the woods.
Among such characteristic forms a well-marked division occurs;
there are those that appear in quantity as trees, shrubs, or herbs,
and satisfy the ordinary observer as to the similarity of the
woods, and there are those which much more rarely occur—it
may be very rarely—and yet which, nevertheless, on account of
their wide distribution, reveal the identity of origin of the woods.
These lingering species are of great interest. They have
undoubtedly been preserved in their woodland home, whilst
almost certainly they would have been otherwise lost.
I would here parenthetically note that there is a large class of
plants which flourish in the open country, but which are poorly
represented in the woods, although, indeed, the woods may have
originally been their home. These for the most part we shall
neglect.
To commence with the timber trees, which, although poor in
species, are rich in individuals, I would put down about five
species, and in the following order :—Hornbeam, Oak, Ash,
Elm, and Maple. The first two are exceedingly common, the
Ash rather less so, although there is a surprising lot of
seedlings that make some way towards maturity. The Elm is
greatly hampered in a wood, having no scope for its lateral
roots, and is, therefore, rather poorly represented. I should
rather be inclined to put a note of interrogation against the
Maple. It occurs rather frequently in our woods, but it has no
great range even in the Eastern Counties, and scarcely occurs, I
believe, in the woods of Norfolk.
Our next group will include, with the shrubs, those trees
which do not attain to the dignity of "timber." From these
down to the small under-shrubs there is rather more variety.
They are :—Hawthorn, Elder, Crab, Hazel, Sloe, Cornel