NOTES ON SOME ESSEX WOODS. 27
(Cornus sanguinea), Holly, Alder, Sallow, Spindle Tree (Euonymus),
Bramble, Dog-rose, Spurge-Laurel, Honeysuckle.
The Cornel or Dogwood is one of those that best develop in
the hedgerows ; still it is an undoubted denizen of the woods.
The Spindle-tree is one of those that cannot be called common,
and yet it is never entirely absent. I have noted that in every
score of faggots made of underwood there will generally occur a
stick or two of Spindle-tree. The Holly I have always regarded
with a little suspicion. It is not in all the woods, but otherwise
its range probably entitles it to a place as a native.
The Spurge-Laurel (Daphne laureola) I believe to be truly
indigenous to our woods. It occurs occasionally in all and in
the remotest recesses, but not often in the open country. The
Alder, of course, only occurs where there is a stream or lake in
the woods, but it is then a constant accompaniment.
I would here remark on the almost entire absence of soft-
wooded trees, such as Limes, Poplars, Planes, etc., a proof
almost of itself that our representatives have emerged from
more rigorous climatic conditions than those which at present
prevail.
We come now to notice the inhabitants of the ground, and as
we cannot enumerate all the species, we must be content to note
those in the first place which obviously predominate from year
to year, and then, lastly, a few which we believe to hold
on solely in virtue of the protection which the wood affords.
Some of the woods have a pond in them, and the vegetation in
these is so uniform that one can forecast a few of the species as
certainly present. The common Pond-weed (Potamogeton) and
one or two species of Crow-foot almost never fail. On the edge
of the pond the Forget-me-not (Myosotis palustris), and the
common Sallow overhanging, are almost surely found. They
give the character to these ancient and secluded depressions.
These ponds, too, so far as my neighbourhood is concerned,
protect the last remnants of the Lesser Spearwort (Ranunculus
flammula). It does not occur in all the ponds, but it is the only
place that I know where that plant may occasionally be found.
In the woods the character is given by the plants of spring.
Those of the later summer are not numerous, although, perhaps,
of as great interest. The Blue-bell (Scilla nutans), Dogs-Mercury
(Mercurialis perennis),Violet, Ground-Ivy (Glechoma), and Speedwell