1908 Field Trips
A RESUME OF THE FIELD MEETINGS OF 1908. By THE HONORARY SECRETARY.
Another year has passed—all too quickly perhaps it seems to many of us—and so again it becomes necessary to place on record some account of the field meetings during this period. It is gratifying to report that the field meetings of the past session were extremely successful, so much so indeed, that the standard may be by no means easy to sustain in future years.
It has been suggested that too few meetings have been held in South Lancashire, having regard to the fact that the Society is engaged in the investigation and compilation of the flora of this vice-county. We may admit the truth of this statement, but it may be as well to recognise that the programme of field meetings was intentionally arranged so as not to give undue or disproportionate preference to South Lancashire localities. A little reflection on several important considerations will shew that this policy is not merely desirable but is necessary in the best interests of the Society. It is well that the importance of giving prominence to work especially affecting Lancashire or Cheshire, or of particular significance to the many members resident in these counties, should be borne in mind. At the same time, it is equally necessary to avoid being too conservatively local, having regard to the wide scope of membership and the catholicity of the Society’s aims and objects. Breadth of outlook is a valuable factor to every true naturalist, though unfortunately not always present in some aspirants to scientific fame and is quite as essential—perhaps more so—in the development and policy of & cosmopolitan society like our own, as in many departments of every-day life.
On the whole, the flora—speaking here of flowering plants, fern allies, and Bryophyta—of South Lancashire, i.e., the botanical division of the county bounded by and extending from the Ribble to the Mersey, has already been pretty thoroughly investigated, excepting in a few special groups, and in several more or less remote or little-visited localities.
While the area is not lacking in picturesque spots, a painfully large and increasing proportion of the vice-county is supremely uninteresting to the botanist and Nature lover. The disfiguring evidences of man’s industry are everywhere more or less apparent, and so it is only natural that the general outdoor meetings should be held to a great extent where the air is yet pure and away from monotonous cinder paths and excessively cultivated fields. From topographical, geological, and other causes, the South Lancashire flora is not strikingly diversified— indeed, extensive areas are characterised by similar monotonous and meagre vegetation. Hence it follows that many features, aspects, and associations of the British flora are quite unrepresented in the vice county.
It must not be supposed from the foregoing remarks that we are in any way opposed to the offering of every facility towards the accomplishment of a very desirable project, or of hindering in any way our enthusiastic South Lancashire Flora Committee. At many general field meetings it is, however, quite impracticable to attempt anything like an exhaustive investigation of the vegetation of the district for various reasons: nor is this to be expected, as there are many Members present on these occasions, workers perhaps in some special branch of botany, but who may not be particularly interested in systematic work or in the detailed study of South Lancashire vegetation.
As a practical solution of the difficulty, we would suggest the desirability of the Flora Committee arranging special meetings, apart from the Society’s general field meetings, purely for investigation of the South Lancashire flora. These meetings might be restricted to Members of that Committee and others who may be especially interested in the subject or anxious to assist. Excursions could be made to appropriate localities, and, if properly organised, & large amount of valuable data would rapidly accumulate, end go fer towards filling various gaps and hastening and facilitating the compilation and publication of the * Flora of South Lancashire.” At such meetings definite subjects might well be allotted to various Members; for instance, someone might be specially responsible for the taking of data shewing altitudinal and horizontal distribution. To other Members could be allotted the collection of various orders, genera, or critical or little worked plants—e.g., Algae, fungi, lichens, mosses, Carices, Gramineae, Euphrasies, Rosae, Rubi, Hieracia, Salices, etc. Others again could act as general recorders, while some might be commissioned to collect information of physico-botanical, local, and ecological interest. Such party could, of course, include a number of general workers and observers in addition.
Wepre/ Connah’s Quay 2 May 1908
The hilly country which extends along the Flintshire side of the Dee estuary is diversified by numerous small streams, the banks of which are generally well wooded. These dells, or nants, as the Welsh term them, are often spots of great beauty, and it is surprising that few or none of these botanical oases have received much attention as regards their natural productions, cryptogamic vegetation in particular. One of the prettiest of these dingles is at Wepre, near Connah’s Quay, and by the courtesy of Mr. T. Rowden Freme, of Wepre Hall, the Society was able to hold the first field meeting of the season at this attractive spot. Accordingly, on May 2nd, an ideal day, a party of thirty-six journeyed to Connah’s Quay, where they were met by Mr. E. Lloyd Marriott, who kindly acted as guide. Connah’s Quay is a dismal, straggling place of collieries, brick works, and chemical manufactories, affording a remarkable contrast to the picturesque woodland beyond. The vegetation of Wepre Woods, notwithstanding the situation, seems scarcely, if at all, affected by the smoke and fumes of Connah’s Quay, doubtless owing to the prevailing direction of the wind. From the same fact the ubiquitous carbonaceous film which one sees so frequently enveloping all plant life in the vicinity of most industrial centres, particularly in South Lancashire, was absent.
This meeting was devoted mainly to the investigation of the mosses the district, of which fifty-two different species were observed, but several noteworthy factors were presented by the phanerogamic vegetation, although flowers were rather scarce. The curious inflorescences of the Butterbur covered the banks of the brook just below Wepre Hall, while overhead many unusually fine Wild Cherry trees Prunus avium charmed the eye with a delightful wealth of snowy blossom. Daffodils, to all appearance quite native, were here in abundance, and as the dainty flowers nodded before an occasional breeze, the oft-quoted lines of our Lake poet almost unconsciously came to mind. The two wood rushes, Great Wood-rush Luzula sylvatica and Hairy Wood-rush L. pilosa, and the Opposite-leaved Golden Saxifrage Chrysosplenium oppositifolium, all typical plants of these Flintshire dingles, were largely in evidence. A search for the rarer Alternate-leaved Golden Saxifrage C. alternifolium was unsuccessful, although it doubtless occurs here, as it is found in Nant y Flint, a very similar locality not far away. It is a significant fact that this plant generally grows intermixed with the commoner species, and one wonders whether Chrysosplenium alternifolium is something akin to the so-called “mutations” of De Vries.
In one part of this dingle is the interesting ruin of Ewloe Castle, finely mantled with ivy. Little is known with certainty as to its founder or history, but it seems to have been an important fortress in Norman times, The tower, portions of the walls, and the deep fosse yet remain, but it is difficult to picture the original aspect of this venerable ruin.
Bingley, an old Welsh traveller, mentions the Spindle Tree Euonymus europaeus as occurring here more than a century ago (about 1800), but none appear to have seen here since his time. Attention was directed in the botanical notes on the circular of this meeting to this fact, and see a special lookout was kept for this shrub. Mr. W. Chesher was fortunate in discovering two examples still growing in what is without doubt the identical spot indicated by Bingley, and we believe a specimen was also found by Mr. F. Summers. This affords an interesting confirmation of the old record and is an acceptable addition to the flora of the Liverpool District. To the naturalist this dell is full of activity in early summer, signs of awakening and developing life being everywhere apparent, and yet there is a peaceful air about this secluded nant ; but rough and sudden was the fray the spot once saw. For here the advance guard of an English army under Henry II was surprised and defeated by David and Conan, sons of the heroic prince, Owen Gwynedd, in the year 1157. By stratagem they drew the English into the defile, and then, attacking them suddenly in front and rear, vanquished them with great slaughter.
The locality seems, somehow, peculiarly reminiscent of the past, and the memories that haunt its aspect, like thoughts in the sweet, sad face of his mistress, can only be read by the Nature lover who lingers here in quiet. Occasionally, in such surroundings as these, the lover of the olden time has the veil lifted, and one catches a transient, far-off glimpse of the inner beauty of mediaeval life, woven of love and sorrow. Bud-headed Groove-moss or Drumsticks Aulacomnium androgynum was noticed in several places and is apparently not an uncommon species in Flintshire. This moss very rarely fruits in Britain, but the plant is under no disadvantage on this account, as reproduction takes place asexually by means of gemmae. The gemmae of Aulacomnium are minute, spindle-shaped bodies which are borne in densely crowded globular heads situated at the apices of slender leafless branches or pseudopodia. The numerous pseudopodia and minute clusters of gemmae give a characteristic appearance to this moss which can hardly be confused with any other British species.
Pellucid Four-tooth Moss Tetraphis pellucida is another common gemmiferous moss, also found on this occasion, and though bearing a slight resemblance to Aulacomnium, it is at once distinguished by the conspicuous apical cups in which the gemmae are situated. Perhaps the prettiest of the fifty-four mosses observed at this meeting was— Shining Hookeria Hookeria lucens (= Pterygophyllum lucens) of which some fine examples were found on a clay bank near the bridge in the wood just below Ewloe Castle. The large glossy leaves of this beautiful plant have a pinnate arrangement and are noteworthy for the unusually large cells which can be readily discerned with a pocket lens. Eleven species of Hepaticae and thirteen lichens were also obtained. After tea at Connah’s Quay, Mr. J. A. Wheldon delivered a short address on ‘Mosses,” with special reference to the examples obtained on this occasion. Few xerophilous species were noted. No Orthotricha were seen, and Grimmiaceae and Sphagnaceae were apparently unrepresented.
Rivington 30 May 1908
The second field meeting was held on May 30th, at Rivington, in South Lancashire. Under the able leadership of Mr. G. H. Hopley, the local botanist, White Bear Station was soon left behind, and passing through the small town of Adlington, we reached the little village of Rivington. As this district was unfamiliar to most Members, and has been comparatively little worked botanically, this meeting was purposely arranged with a view to a systematic examination of the vegetation of the neighbourhood in connection with the Society’s scheme for investigating the flora of South Lancashire. The rather dreary road to Rivington was through supremely uninteresting country, but our experiences further on afforded additional proof of what appears to be a pretty constant rule in South Lancashire, that the more tarnished the frame the prettier and more botanical interesting is the picture within it was the original intention to ascend Rivington Pike, but the day being unusually hot, and time being limited, this was considered inadvisable. The resolution was a wise one under the circumstances, as exploration of the picturesque Dean Wood and working up the stream for some distance revealed a far richer flora than could have been obtained on the moors at the greater elevation. A number of garden plants had strayed into the wood and become more or less naturalised, and, no doubt, the examples of Solomon’s Seal Polygonatum multiflorum (= P. officinale) and the Asian Bleeding-heart Lamprocapnos spectabilis (=Lyre Flower Dicentra spectabilis) which we saw here had spread from the garden lower down. The moist banks by the waterfall yielded a number of plants, Cryptogams especially, of which the Rusty Hook-moss Scorpidium revolvens (= Hypnum revolvens) is deserving of note. Three bushes of the Mountain Currant Ribes alpinum were seen on the roadside above Rivington, about half a mile towards Belmont. This is a rare shrub in South Lancashire, and we doubt very much whether it can be considered native in this vice county. From the other British species, it is readily separated by the “diecious” flowers and erect inflorescence. At the present day it is difficult to conceive the aspect of the greater part of Lancashire in former times, and probably in no other British county have industrial development and increasing population wrought such vast changes. Here and there, however, one may still find nooks and corners where the influence of man is less marked. In rambling away from the beaten track above Dean Wood, we came across some interesting ground of this nature, but even this pretty and apparently natural spot has doubtless undergone a certain amount of modification in the course of time. Fortunately, a little light is thrown on the subject by Omphrius, a Benedictine monk of Whalley, who describes the district about Bolton und Rivington more than seven centuries ago. Omphrius’ account was written in 1262, in the reign of Henry the Third. This Latin manuscript, with its quaint orthography and graphic word pictures would be well worthy of note in any historical survey of the Lancashire flora; as few or none of our Lancashire botanists are acquainted with it, I may aptly call attention to it here.
Speaking of this Rivington district, Omphrius remarks in his Latin, “In the romantic defiles, and deep basins of this part of the country (Deane near Boltune), west of Boltune in the moras, was the rapid rivers Irwell and Douglas; the Bradshaw and Crawl runnels, which were heard dashing their waters, at that time, in many of the vallies, pools and waterfalls, mixed with the far-off song of the wild hunters from Leigh (a toft of houses), or, the howl of shee-dogs following their master along & sunny bank or brow, where he sought his new-fallen lambs. A wreath of smoke thinly ascending from a tufted hollow, marked the shepherd’s ivy-housed abode, and conducted travellers to a rude hut, formed of mountain slabs, or, otherwise, of slate or rude stones.
“Now and then was seen a rill rippling over the heads of water-lilies and round the tall stems of Iris. The dissolving snows of the winter had, in due season, formed numerous runnels of this sort, which flowed down the mountain paths, blue with the Aconite, or fringed with the Daisy, peculiar to regions inclined to be alpine. The thick cooing of the Stock Dove came from the depths of the woods, mixing its plaintive music with the rustling of the large fern leaves and brakes, and the bleat of distant flocks. . . . . As I found when at Deane-chapel, so I left them, and retired to Whalley Abbey to offer up my orisons for their welfare, and for the souls of those who had departed in a state of grace, by the will of God.”
Working up the stream we came across an interesting flora, including such plants as Spiky Bog-moss Sphagnum squarrosum, Large Bitter-cress Cardamine amara, Ranunculus lingua Greater Spearwort, Marsh Violet Viola palustris, and the modest little Blinks Montia fontana. In places the banks were composed of a loose shale, suggesting the possibility of the occurrence of the curious moss Flag-moss Discelium nudum, but although a sharp lookout was kept our hopes were not realised. Great Wood-rush Luzula sylvatica, which some of us had encountered at Wepre, was here in large masses, and our prettiest horse-tail Wood Horsetail Equisetum sylvaticum was also not uncommon. Common Bistort Bistorta officinalis was quite a common plant here, and in many respects the vegetation of the locality was surprisingly like the flora of the Billinge district, which we visited in 1907. Fragrant, creamy cymes of rowan blossom overhead added to the charm of the scene, and here and there & glimpse was caught of the lively Dipper, a typical bird of the lonely mountain stream. Once, above the rippling of the streamlet, we heard the subdued and melodious cadence of this bird, and the Dipper, or Water Ousel, as it is sometimes known, is no mean musician. Somewhere in the mossy bank of the stream, in such a spot as this the dipper makes its home—a warm cosy sphere enclosing the pretty milk-white eggs. Unfortunately, time would not permit of following this interesting stream to its source, but this locality is certainly deserving of a further visit and more extended investigation. The uncommon Masterwort Peucedanum ostruthium was observed as a relic of cultivation in the neighbourhood of Heath Charnock. After a walk of some seven miles tea was obtained at Adlington somewhat late in the day, this concluding an extremely interesting excursion Notwithstanding the botanically barren ground covered in the walk between Adlington and Rivington, Mr. Chesher gathered a moss on walls by the roadside, which proved to be the variety λ badium of Tufted Thread-moss Bryum caespiticium. This particular variety would appear to be hitherto unrecorded for South Lancashire.
Rossett 27 June
Variety is good in all things, and so on June 27th we travelled to Rossett in company with Members of the Chester Society of Natural Science, under the leadership of Mr. A. E. Goodman, of Chester. From Rossett the walk led through pretty country past Marford to Gresford in Denbighshire. The weather was hot, but almost ideal, and the only drawback to this meeting, as with several others, was the wealth of interest it presented. Consequently, I cannot pretend to give anything like a detailed account of the work and observations on this occasion. Hedgerow Crane's-bill Geranium pyrenaicum was growing by the roadside between Rossett and Marford, and a number of fine Walnut trees about Marford called for general notice. In places along the road the little composite Pineappleweed Matricaria discoidea was observed. Until a few years ago this alien was unknown in this part of Britain, and so its partiality for roadsides and the vicinity of docks is not without significance. This little traveller is readily distinguished from its British relatives by the conical head of florets, absence of ligules, and the pleasant apple-like odour, which is very marked upon rubbing or bruising any part of the plant.
Here and there along the banks of the Dee were some unusually large alders, reminding us that not the least pleasant of our associations with trees of different kinds are the associations of sound. The hum of bees about the Linden branches, the patter of the Aspen leaf, the rush of Ash foliage before a sudden storm, the plaint of a pine wood, which is a kind of harp of all the winds, each of these do their part in giving an irresistible speech and language to the trees of the wood. And so, with the Alder, for its choice of the margins of streams, one associates the sound of waters, the swirl and swish of some hasty North country beck, or the calmer ripple of a lowland brook. There, gnarled, dingy, weather-beaten, but always holding its own in the marshy soil, it has for company those flowers that most frequent such a locality—King cups (Marsh Marigold), Ragged-Robin, and Forget-me-nots.
Many of these trees were infected with two types of gall which are commonly met with on the leaves of the Alder. Both appear as prominent swellings or tubercles, and the two species may often be found on the same tree. In the one Alder-vein Angle Gall Mite Eriophyes inangulis (= E. axillaris) the galls occur in pairs and are confined to the midrib of the leaf or the axils of the primary veins. The other species (E. laevis) is readily identified by the more numerous galls, which are not usually in pairs, being distributed all over the leaf. Strictly speaking, both these are really pseudogalls—i.e., they are abnormal thickenings of the leaf, with an opening communicating into each from the under surface of the leaf. True galls, on the contrary, are always closed. Between Rossett and Gresford is a wooded eminence of curious formation, locally known as “The Roft.” This is the site of an old British camp, and the pleasant view from the summit is said to extend over seven counties. Many interesting plants were noted here, a number being calciphilous. These included the Dogwood (Cornus), Bloody Cranesbill Geranium sanguineum, Maple, Musk Thistle Carduus nutans and Welted Thistle C. crispus, Lesser Periwinkle Vinca minor, Giant Bellflower Campanula latifolia, Nettle-leaved Bellflower C. trachelium, and Helianthemum vulgare (Common Rock Rose),
Wild Liquorice Astragalus glycyphyllos (Milk Vetch) was observed in its old station, and in the adjoining woodland we found such plants as Pendulous Sedge Carex pendula, Wood-sedge C. sylvatica, Great Horsetail Equisetum telmateia (= E. maximum), the Woodruff Galium odoratum, and Yellow Archangel Lamiastrum galeobdolon (= Lamium galeobdolon). Many of the hazel bushes hereabouts were almost leafless, being badly infested with the larvae of Rhomboid Tortrix Acleris rhombana (= Tortrix ribeana), a moth very partial to its foliage. The most noteworthy plant of the district is the White Mullein White Mullein Verbascum lychnitis, a rare and local species which we found in quantity, and which has grown here for the past eighty years at least. White Bryony Bryonia dioica was plentiful in some of the hedges and seemed to largely take the place of the usually common Black Bryony Tamus communis, although the latter was also seen. After tea at the Trevor Arms, we hurried back to Gresford, and made an inspection of the church, an extremely interesting structure.
The Rector, the Rev. E. A. Fishbourne, kindly showed us over the building, and being a keen archaeologist, the account which he gave us of the history of the church was much appreciated. The churchyard is noted for its fine yews, while the sweet peal of bells forms “ one of the seven wonders of Wales.”
Calderstones Park 1 July 1908
An evening meeting was held at Calderstones Park on July 1st, when we were again fortunate in having Mr. L. G. Godseff, the Curator, as our guide. This meeting was mainly devoted to the study of trees and shrubs. An account of a similar meeting held here some time ago is included in the the Proceedings for 1907, so I need say little more. A small yellow-flowered “balsam,” probably Small Balsam Impatiens parviflora, was naturalised in quantity in a waste corner of the grounds. Under some beeches nearby was a crop of the fungus Suede Bolete Boletus subtomentosus.
Warton Crag 18 July
The fifth field meeting was a whole day excursion which was held at Warton Crag, near Carnforth, North Lancashire, on Saturday, July 18th. This was the first whole day excursion of the session, and it proved a most successful meeting in every way. The day was wet and unpromising before starting, but with our usual good fortune there was a sudden change, and on arrival at Carnforth the weather was all that could be desired. It seems somewhat in the nature of a record that during three seasons’ field work climatic conditions have been almost uniformly satisfactory, and on no occasion has the weather been sufficiently unfavourable to interfere unduly with the arrangements.
On arrival at Carnforth shortly after half-past nine the party was reinforced by several well-known botanists. An excellent luncheon, thoughtfully provided by our leader, Mr. J. W. Hartley, was waiting, and our thanks were also further due to Mr. Hartley for making all necessary arrangements with local landowners.
Walking to the village of Warton, which nestles at the foot of the crag of scar limestone of imposing extent, the party divided into two sections. The one under the leadership of Mr. H. Walker ascended the crag, and devoted special attention to the prolific vegetation of the limestone scar, and then descended and returned to Carnforth along the coast. The other party followed a different route, under the guidance of Mr. J. W. Hartley, of Carnforth, first visiting Mr. Platt’s alpine and fern gardens at the kind invitation of the owner. In both cases the routes taken permitted of the examination of several distinct plant associations of great interest and richness. The plants of the scar limestone, with its pavements, caverns, crag, and natural wood, are far too numerous to mention. In the natural thicket covering much of the crag, occurred in quantity, and in a truly wild condition, both species of buckthorn, dogwood, Spindle Tree, Yew, and Juniper. It is worthy of note that the Brimstone butterfly Gonepteryx rhamni is not uncommon here, but in South Lancashire, Cheshire, and North Wales, where the two species of Rhamnus are very rare or absent, this usually common insect is almost unknown.
Mr. Hartley called attention to the ravages of the rust fungus Gymnosporangium, a parasite which was considerably in evidence on many of the branches of the Juniper shrubs, to which it gives a dropsical appearance. Raestelia, the other phase in the life cycle of this heteroecious fungus, was also discovered on hawthorn bushes close by. The summit of the crag was reached after some difficulty owing to many members characteristically and commendably preferring to ascend through almost impenetrable undergrowth and thicket rather than by the usual track. While lunching here a certain ardent naturalist happened to leap across one of the numerous clefts by which the rock is intersected. A startled hiss and a rapidly retreating undulatory streak showed that he had almost jumped upon a reptile of some kind who had doubtless been engaged in a peaceful siesta. Momentary surprise was soon overcome by curiosity, and the trail was hurriedly followed up, but only in time to see a snaky tail disappear into a crevice beneath a large limestone boulder. Just as we were assuring ourselves that the prey had escaped us, we observed a head emerge from the opposite end of the boulder, and the snake immediately glided out and took refuge in a hole under an adjoining rock. On cautiously prodding the opening with a stick we found the reptile had dashed into a cul-de-sac, and was lying coiled up just inside. One gentleman was about to insert his hand to grasp the prey when it was suggested that it would be advisable to avoid handling the snake until we had obtained a good view of it and assured ourselves as to its identity.
The warning was exceedingly opportune, for on pulling forth the creature with a walking-stick handle we were startled to behold a very fine example of the Viper (Adder) almost two feet in length. We had imagined the animal to be a harmless Grass Snake, and naturally we congratulated ourselves on having given it the benefit of the doubt.
Of the wealth of interesting plants observed on this occasion, two call for special mention. The Sand Garlic Allium scorodoprasum was found in abundance at one point almost at sea-level by Miss M. B. Barr and Miss K. White, who are to be congratulated on this interesting addition to the county flora. In this case we refer to Lancashire proper from the botanical point of view, as for all flora purposes the anomalous isolated portion of Furness, although politically a portion of Lancashire, is best regarded as a part of Westmoreland. This plant formerly occurred on the bank of the Mersey above Liverpool, but no one appears to have seen it here for many years. Dr. C. T. Green tells me that he found Allium scorodoprasum in Furness, on the estuary just above Greenodd in June 1907, and it was also seen in this same station by Mr. W. Chesher, M.A., in July 1908. Prior to its discovery by Miss Barr and Miss White the Sand Garlic was quite unrecorded for the botanical vice-county of West Lancashire (V.C. 60).
A plant found near the base of the scar by Messrs. Wheldon and Wilson, and at first supposed to be & form of the Common Centaury, proved to be Erythraea capitata, Rend. and Brit., and is an addition to the county flora (now included in Centaurium erythraea subsp. erythraea).
Other interesting plants noted on this occasion were Deadly Nightshade Atropa belladonna, Slender Thistle Carduus tenuiflorus, and Welted Thistle C. crispus, Hairy Violet Viola hirta and Early Dog-violet V. reichenbachiana, Hairy St John's-wort Hypericum hirsutum and Pale St John's-wort H. montanum, Dark-red Helleborine Epipactis atrorubens, Rock Whitebeam Sorbus (= Pyrus) rupicola, Aspen Populus tremula, Dwarf Haircap Polytrichum nanum, Weissia controversa var. crispata (= Weissia crispata), Muhlenberg’s Cord-moss Entosthodon muhlenbergii ( =Funaria calcarea), Lichen Endocarpon miniatum, and many more, too numerous to mention. Great Mullein Verbascum thapsus and the Cat-mint Nepeta cataria were prominent constituents of the vegetation of the low bank skirting the shore, and the Horned Poppy was frequent in places. After tea at Carnforth, kindly provided by Mr. J. W. Hartley, a vote of thanks was passed to the leaders, and on the invitation of Mr. Walker the party paid a visit to this gentleman’s garden, where a collection of some two thousand plants, many of particular botanical interest, were contained in a comparatively small area.
Woodvale and Halsall 8 August 1908
Woodvale and Halsall, in South Lancashire, were visited on August 8th, this meeting being held in conjunction with the Southport Society of Natural Science, and under the leadership of Messrs. H. Ball and W. H. Stansfield. Alighting at Woodvale, several Members quickly discovered two patch of French Mallow Malva nicaeensis, an Italian alien, which was growing close to the station. Attention was chiefly devoted to the hygrophilous vegetation of the ditches, by which the former mossland is intersected. At some points, the ditches were awkwardly overgrown, while at other places a recent “cleaning ” did not improve them from a botanical point of view. Many of the usual species characteristic of the locality were found, as, for instance, the Frogbit (Hydrocharis), Fine-leaved Water-dropwort Oenanthe aquatica (= O. phellandrium) and Tubular Water-dropwort O. fistulosa, Cypress Sedge Carex pseudocyperus, etc. The Canadian Pond Weed Elodea canadensis was flowering plentifully, but only staminate blossoms were observed. Three of our four species of duck weed were in abundance. Fat Duckweed Lemna gibba occurred in patches of a purplish colour by which one could readily distinguish it at & distance from the surrounding Common Duckweed Lemna minor and Ivy-leaved Duckweed L. trisulca. The aromatic Bog-myrtle Myrica gale, a rapidly diminishing shrub in South Lancashire, was fruiting abundantly in one or two places. The Golden Dock Rumex maritmus was found very sparingly, and the locally rare Hornwort Ceratophyllum demersum was growing abundantly at one point. Heath Groundsel Senecio sylvaticus, characteristic of the South Lancashire mossland, was frequent, and fields on this recently-reclaimed land had a typical flora, including Purple Loosestrife Lythrum salicaria, Perennial Sow-thistle Sonchus arvensis, Corn Mint Mentha arvensis, and Common Hemp-nettle Galeopsis tetrahit and Large-flowered Hemp-nettle Galeopsis speciosa (= G. versicolor), the last-named evincing a marked partiality to potato-fields. Five species of bramble were obtained :--Rubus calvatus, White-spiked Bramble R. leucostachys, Rubus polyanthemus (= R. pulcherrimus), Plaited-leaved Bramble R. plicatus, and Rubus nemoralis (= R. selmeri). Red Goosefoot Chenopodium rubrum and Small Melilot Melilotus indicus were found on some waste ground near Halsall, and the former plant also occurred abundantly by the lane side east of Mossbridge Station.
After tea at Barton, Mr. Stansfield delivered a short address on the flora of the district. As a result of draining and cultivation very little aboriginal moss now remains in Lancashire, and concomitantly with the topographical changes involved thereby, the effect on the fauna and flora is becoming only too evident. Many plants and animals formerly plentiful on the Lancashire mosses have now become extinct or greatly diminished in number. Osmunda regalis, the well-known Royal Fern affords a striking instance. Formerly this handsome fern covered vast acres of moss, and was especially plentiful about St. Helens. Mr. Stansfield remarked that he could remember large quantities being brought from the mosses into Manchester markets. Now, however, partly owing to drainage, and largely as a result of vandalism, this striking plant is almost lost to the county.
In the course of the return walk to Mossbridge Station, Messrs. W. R. Sibbald end G. E. Taylor discovered the Yellow Mimulus Mimulus luteus or Monkey flower, naturalised by the side of a stream. This favourite Chilian garden plant is rapidly spreading over Britain, and has become perfectly naturalised in many localities, particularly along the banks of rivers and streams. This new station for Mimulus represents a second local record, and it will doubtless soon be found elsewhere in the Liverpool district.
Llyn Helyg 29 August
The last field meeting of the session, on Saturday, August 29th, was a whole day excursion, when, by courtesy of Lord Mostyn, Llyn Helyg was visited via Mostyn. This is the only lake of any size in Flintshire proper, end is picturesquely situated among pine woods, some 600 feet above sea level on the summit of the plateau lying between the Mold valley and the Dee. The locality is of supreme interest to the botanist, and is unique, never having hitherto been visited by any scientific society, while its existence only appears to have been previously - known to very few naturalists. This is the more surprising as, with the dubious exception of the sandhills, it would be impossible to find a more interesting locality botanically within a similar radius of Liverpool.
Only nine Members were present at this meeting, probably the most interesting of the season. Mostyn was reached at about ten o’clock, and in the hedge directly facing the station we noticed a large mass of Travellers’ Joy Clematis vitalba. There are a number of localities where this shrub is to be found in Flintshire, but it is probably not really native in the county. Passing through Mostyn Park, the route to the lake is by unfrequented bye roads, where even the ubiquitous motor car is seen but rarely.
Many beautiful and uncommon fungi were observed in the woods skirting the lake, including the handsome Fly Agaric Agaricus [ Amanita] muscarius), the latter species being discovered by Miss A. B. Gleave. The marginal vegetation of this picturesque lake afforded a rich variety of botanical interest, including features and species unrepresented in Lancashire and Cheshire. Although a whole day was devoted to this excursion the time proved all too short and totally insufficient for anything but a very incomplete examination of the plant life of this unique spot. Specimens of submerged aquatic plants, obtained by dredging from a boat, showed that the abundant vegetation covering the bed of the lake consisted essentially, if not entirely, of Quillwort Isoetes lacustris and a curious submerged form of the Shoreweed Littorella uniflora (= L. juncea). Among the many interesting species skirting the lake were the Pillwort Pilularia globulifera ( =P. vulgaris), which was fruiting plentifully, Round-leaved Sundew Drosera rotundifolia, Chaffweed Lysimachia minima (= Centunculus minimus), Allseed Linum radiola, and the normal or terrestrial form of the Shoreweed on which some of the curious flowers yet remained.
After tea at Caerwys, the Hon. Secretary delivered a short address on the botanical features of the lake, with special reference to the ecological aspects of the subject, illustrating his remarks by a number of photographs and specimens. To the student of plant associations, the locality is of special interest as a number of distinct groups of vegetation occur within a comparatively small area, and various subsidiary intermediate colonies are also represented. Some time was then devoted to the discussion and identification of specimens, this concluding an extremely profitable meeting.
Quite apart from the purely scientific results of these field meetings there is another aspect of such work, an altruistic one, which is perhaps overlooked by some. Who will deny that such meetings do not bring an occasional gleam of sunshine into the lives of many? Anything which attempts to arouse a love of Nature, and to make happier such of our fellow-creatures as possible, is surely not undeserving of support. In this way the earnest and sympathetic naturalist exerts an enormous power for good, although the fact is perhaps insufficiently recognised. And so, contented in his simple creed, and undisturbed by the clamour of sects and churches, the naturalist pursues his way until the daybreak appears and reveals the accuracy of his conceptions.
A RESUME OF THE FIELD MEETINGS OF 1908. By THE HONORARY SECRETARY.
Another year has passed—all too quickly perhaps it seems to many of us—and so again it becomes necessary to place on record some account of the field meetings during this period. It is gratifying to report that the field meetings of the past session were extremely successful, so much so indeed, that the standard may be by no means easy to sustain in future years.
It has been suggested that too few meetings have been held in South Lancashire, having regard to the fact that the Society is engaged in the investigation and compilation of the flora of this vice-county. We may admit the truth of this statement, but it may be as well to recognise that the programme of field meetings was intentionally arranged so as not to give undue or disproportionate preference to South Lancashire localities. A little reflection on several important considerations will shew that this policy is not merely desirable but is necessary in the best interests of the Society. It is well that the importance of giving prominence to work especially affecting Lancashire or Cheshire, or of particular significance to the many members resident in these counties, should be borne in mind. At the same time, it is equally necessary to avoid being too conservatively local, having regard to the wide scope of membership and the catholicity of the Society’s aims and objects. Breadth of outlook is a valuable factor to every true naturalist, though unfortunately not always present in some aspirants to scientific fame and is quite as essential—perhaps more so—in the development and policy of & cosmopolitan society like our own, as in many departments of every-day life.
On the whole, the flora—speaking here of flowering plants, fern allies, and Bryophyta—of South Lancashire, i.e., the botanical division of the county bounded by and extending from the Ribble to the Mersey, has already been pretty thoroughly investigated, excepting in a few special groups, and in several more or less remote or little-visited localities.
While the area is not lacking in picturesque spots, a painfully large and increasing proportion of the vice-county is supremely uninteresting to the botanist and Nature lover. The disfiguring evidences of man’s industry are everywhere more or less apparent, and so it is only natural that the general outdoor meetings should be held to a great extent where the air is yet pure and away from monotonous cinder paths and excessively cultivated fields. From topographical, geological, and other causes, the South Lancashire flora is not strikingly diversified— indeed, extensive areas are characterised by similar monotonous and meagre vegetation. Hence it follows that many features, aspects, and associations of the British flora are quite unrepresented in the vice county.
It must not be supposed from the foregoing remarks that we are in any way opposed to the offering of every facility towards the accomplishment of a very desirable project, or of hindering in any way our enthusiastic South Lancashire Flora Committee. At many general field meetings it is, however, quite impracticable to attempt anything like an exhaustive investigation of the vegetation of the district for various reasons: nor is this to be expected, as there are many Members present on these occasions, workers perhaps in some special branch of botany, but who may not be particularly interested in systematic work or in the detailed study of South Lancashire vegetation.
As a practical solution of the difficulty, we would suggest the desirability of the Flora Committee arranging special meetings, apart from the Society’s general field meetings, purely for investigation of the South Lancashire flora. These meetings might be restricted to Members of that Committee and others who may be especially interested in the subject or anxious to assist. Excursions could be made to appropriate localities, and, if properly organised, & large amount of valuable data would rapidly accumulate, end go fer towards filling various gaps and hastening and facilitating the compilation and publication of the * Flora of South Lancashire.” At such meetings definite subjects might well be allotted to various Members; for instance, someone might be specially responsible for the taking of data shewing altitudinal and horizontal distribution. To other Members could be allotted the collection of various orders, genera, or critical or little worked plants—e.g., Algae, fungi, lichens, mosses, Carices, Gramineae, Euphrasies, Rosae, Rubi, Hieracia, Salices, etc. Others again could act as general recorders, while some might be commissioned to collect information of physico-botanical, local, and ecological interest. Such party could, of course, include a number of general workers and observers in addition.
Wepre/ Connah’s Quay 2 May 1908
The hilly country which extends along the Flintshire side of the Dee estuary is diversified by numerous small streams, the banks of which are generally well wooded. These dells, or nants, as the Welsh term them, are often spots of great beauty, and it is surprising that few or none of these botanical oases have received much attention as regards their natural productions, cryptogamic vegetation in particular. One of the prettiest of these dingles is at Wepre, near Connah’s Quay, and by the courtesy of Mr. T. Rowden Freme, of Wepre Hall, the Society was able to hold the first field meeting of the season at this attractive spot. Accordingly, on May 2nd, an ideal day, a party of thirty-six journeyed to Connah’s Quay, where they were met by Mr. E. Lloyd Marriott, who kindly acted as guide. Connah’s Quay is a dismal, straggling place of collieries, brick works, and chemical manufactories, affording a remarkable contrast to the picturesque woodland beyond. The vegetation of Wepre Woods, notwithstanding the situation, seems scarcely, if at all, affected by the smoke and fumes of Connah’s Quay, doubtless owing to the prevailing direction of the wind. From the same fact the ubiquitous carbonaceous film which one sees so frequently enveloping all plant life in the vicinity of most industrial centres, particularly in South Lancashire, was absent.
This meeting was devoted mainly to the investigation of the mosses the district, of which fifty-two different species were observed, but several noteworthy factors were presented by the phanerogamic vegetation, although flowers were rather scarce. The curious inflorescences of the Butterbur covered the banks of the brook just below Wepre Hall, while overhead many unusually fine Wild Cherry trees Prunus avium charmed the eye with a delightful wealth of snowy blossom. Daffodils, to all appearance quite native, were here in abundance, and as the dainty flowers nodded before an occasional breeze, the oft-quoted lines of our Lake poet almost unconsciously came to mind. The two wood rushes, Great Wood-rush Luzula sylvatica and Hairy Wood-rush L. pilosa, and the Opposite-leaved Golden Saxifrage Chrysosplenium oppositifolium, all typical plants of these Flintshire dingles, were largely in evidence. A search for the rarer Alternate-leaved Golden Saxifrage C. alternifolium was unsuccessful, although it doubtless occurs here, as it is found in Nant y Flint, a very similar locality not far away. It is a significant fact that this plant generally grows intermixed with the commoner species, and one wonders whether Chrysosplenium alternifolium is something akin to the so-called “mutations” of De Vries.
In one part of this dingle is the interesting ruin of Ewloe Castle, finely mantled with ivy. Little is known with certainty as to its founder or history, but it seems to have been an important fortress in Norman times, The tower, portions of the walls, and the deep fosse yet remain, but it is difficult to picture the original aspect of this venerable ruin.
Bingley, an old Welsh traveller, mentions the Spindle Tree Euonymus europaeus as occurring here more than a century ago (about 1800), but none appear to have seen here since his time. Attention was directed in the botanical notes on the circular of this meeting to this fact, and see a special lookout was kept for this shrub. Mr. W. Chesher was fortunate in discovering two examples still growing in what is without doubt the identical spot indicated by Bingley, and we believe a specimen was also found by Mr. F. Summers. This affords an interesting confirmation of the old record and is an acceptable addition to the flora of the Liverpool District. To the naturalist this dell is full of activity in early summer, signs of awakening and developing life being everywhere apparent, and yet there is a peaceful air about this secluded nant ; but rough and sudden was the fray the spot once saw. For here the advance guard of an English army under Henry II was surprised and defeated by David and Conan, sons of the heroic prince, Owen Gwynedd, in the year 1157. By stratagem they drew the English into the defile, and then, attacking them suddenly in front and rear, vanquished them with great slaughter.
The locality seems, somehow, peculiarly reminiscent of the past, and the memories that haunt its aspect, like thoughts in the sweet, sad face of his mistress, can only be read by the Nature lover who lingers here in quiet. Occasionally, in such surroundings as these, the lover of the olden time has the veil lifted, and one catches a transient, far-off glimpse of the inner beauty of mediaeval life, woven of love and sorrow. Bud-headed Groove-moss or Drumsticks Aulacomnium androgynum was noticed in several places and is apparently not an uncommon species in Flintshire. This moss very rarely fruits in Britain, but the plant is under no disadvantage on this account, as reproduction takes place asexually by means of gemmae. The gemmae of Aulacomnium are minute, spindle-shaped bodies which are borne in densely crowded globular heads situated at the apices of slender leafless branches or pseudopodia. The numerous pseudopodia and minute clusters of gemmae give a characteristic appearance to this moss which can hardly be confused with any other British species.
Pellucid Four-tooth Moss Tetraphis pellucida is another common gemmiferous moss, also found on this occasion, and though bearing a slight resemblance to Aulacomnium, it is at once distinguished by the conspicuous apical cups in which the gemmae are situated. Perhaps the prettiest of the fifty-four mosses observed at this meeting was— Shining Hookeria Hookeria lucens (= Pterygophyllum lucens) of which some fine examples were found on a clay bank near the bridge in the wood just below Ewloe Castle. The large glossy leaves of this beautiful plant have a pinnate arrangement and are noteworthy for the unusually large cells which can be readily discerned with a pocket lens. Eleven species of Hepaticae and thirteen lichens were also obtained. After tea at Connah’s Quay, Mr. J. A. Wheldon delivered a short address on ‘Mosses,” with special reference to the examples obtained on this occasion. Few xerophilous species were noted. No Orthotricha were seen, and Grimmiaceae and Sphagnaceae were apparently unrepresented.
Rivington 30 May 1908
The second field meeting was held on May 30th, at Rivington, in South Lancashire. Under the able leadership of Mr. G. H. Hopley, the local botanist, White Bear Station was soon left behind, and passing through the small town of Adlington, we reached the little village of Rivington. As this district was unfamiliar to most Members, and has been comparatively little worked botanically, this meeting was purposely arranged with a view to a systematic examination of the vegetation of the neighbourhood in connection with the Society’s scheme for investigating the flora of South Lancashire. The rather dreary road to Rivington was through supremely uninteresting country, but our experiences further on afforded additional proof of what appears to be a pretty constant rule in South Lancashire, that the more tarnished the frame the prettier and more botanical interesting is the picture within it was the original intention to ascend Rivington Pike, but the day being unusually hot, and time being limited, this was considered inadvisable. The resolution was a wise one under the circumstances, as exploration of the picturesque Dean Wood and working up the stream for some distance revealed a far richer flora than could have been obtained on the moors at the greater elevation. A number of garden plants had strayed into the wood and become more or less naturalised, and, no doubt, the examples of Solomon’s Seal Polygonatum multiflorum (= P. officinale) and the Asian Bleeding-heart Lamprocapnos spectabilis (=Lyre Flower Dicentra spectabilis) which we saw here had spread from the garden lower down. The moist banks by the waterfall yielded a number of plants, Cryptogams especially, of which the Rusty Hook-moss Scorpidium revolvens (= Hypnum revolvens) is deserving of note. Three bushes of the Mountain Currant Ribes alpinum were seen on the roadside above Rivington, about half a mile towards Belmont. This is a rare shrub in South Lancashire, and we doubt very much whether it can be considered native in this vice county. From the other British species, it is readily separated by the “diecious” flowers and erect inflorescence. At the present day it is difficult to conceive the aspect of the greater part of Lancashire in former times, and probably in no other British county have industrial development and increasing population wrought such vast changes. Here and there, however, one may still find nooks and corners where the influence of man is less marked. In rambling away from the beaten track above Dean Wood, we came across some interesting ground of this nature, but even this pretty and apparently natural spot has doubtless undergone a certain amount of modification in the course of time. Fortunately, a little light is thrown on the subject by Omphrius, a Benedictine monk of Whalley, who describes the district about Bolton und Rivington more than seven centuries ago. Omphrius’ account was written in 1262, in the reign of Henry the Third. This Latin manuscript, with its quaint orthography and graphic word pictures would be well worthy of note in any historical survey of the Lancashire flora; as few or none of our Lancashire botanists are acquainted with it, I may aptly call attention to it here.
Speaking of this Rivington district, Omphrius remarks in his Latin, “In the romantic defiles, and deep basins of this part of the country (Deane near Boltune), west of Boltune in the moras, was the rapid rivers Irwell and Douglas; the Bradshaw and Crawl runnels, which were heard dashing their waters, at that time, in many of the vallies, pools and waterfalls, mixed with the far-off song of the wild hunters from Leigh (a toft of houses), or, the howl of shee-dogs following their master along & sunny bank or brow, where he sought his new-fallen lambs. A wreath of smoke thinly ascending from a tufted hollow, marked the shepherd’s ivy-housed abode, and conducted travellers to a rude hut, formed of mountain slabs, or, otherwise, of slate or rude stones.
“Now and then was seen a rill rippling over the heads of water-lilies and round the tall stems of Iris. The dissolving snows of the winter had, in due season, formed numerous runnels of this sort, which flowed down the mountain paths, blue with the Aconite, or fringed with the Daisy, peculiar to regions inclined to be alpine. The thick cooing of the Stock Dove came from the depths of the woods, mixing its plaintive music with the rustling of the large fern leaves and brakes, and the bleat of distant flocks. . . . . As I found when at Deane-chapel, so I left them, and retired to Whalley Abbey to offer up my orisons for their welfare, and for the souls of those who had departed in a state of grace, by the will of God.”
Working up the stream we came across an interesting flora, including such plants as Spiky Bog-moss Sphagnum squarrosum, Large Bitter-cress Cardamine amara, Ranunculus lingua Greater Spearwort, Marsh Violet Viola palustris, and the modest little Blinks Montia fontana. In places the banks were composed of a loose shale, suggesting the possibility of the occurrence of the curious moss Flag-moss Discelium nudum, but although a sharp lookout was kept our hopes were not realised. Great Wood-rush Luzula sylvatica, which some of us had encountered at Wepre, was here in large masses, and our prettiest horse-tail Wood Horsetail Equisetum sylvaticum was also not uncommon. Common Bistort Bistorta officinalis was quite a common plant here, and in many respects the vegetation of the locality was surprisingly like the flora of the Billinge district, which we visited in 1907. Fragrant, creamy cymes of rowan blossom overhead added to the charm of the scene, and here and there & glimpse was caught of the lively Dipper, a typical bird of the lonely mountain stream. Once, above the rippling of the streamlet, we heard the subdued and melodious cadence of this bird, and the Dipper, or Water Ousel, as it is sometimes known, is no mean musician. Somewhere in the mossy bank of the stream, in such a spot as this the dipper makes its home—a warm cosy sphere enclosing the pretty milk-white eggs. Unfortunately, time would not permit of following this interesting stream to its source, but this locality is certainly deserving of a further visit and more extended investigation. The uncommon Masterwort Peucedanum ostruthium was observed as a relic of cultivation in the neighbourhood of Heath Charnock. After a walk of some seven miles tea was obtained at Adlington somewhat late in the day, this concluding an extremely interesting excursion Notwithstanding the botanically barren ground covered in the walk between Adlington and Rivington, Mr. Chesher gathered a moss on walls by the roadside, which proved to be the variety λ badium of Tufted Thread-moss Bryum caespiticium. This particular variety would appear to be hitherto unrecorded for South Lancashire.
Rossett 27 June
Variety is good in all things, and so on June 27th we travelled to Rossett in company with Members of the Chester Society of Natural Science, under the leadership of Mr. A. E. Goodman, of Chester. From Rossett the walk led through pretty country past Marford to Gresford in Denbighshire. The weather was hot, but almost ideal, and the only drawback to this meeting, as with several others, was the wealth of interest it presented. Consequently, I cannot pretend to give anything like a detailed account of the work and observations on this occasion. Hedgerow Crane's-bill Geranium pyrenaicum was growing by the roadside between Rossett and Marford, and a number of fine Walnut trees about Marford called for general notice. In places along the road the little composite Pineappleweed Matricaria discoidea was observed. Until a few years ago this alien was unknown in this part of Britain, and so its partiality for roadsides and the vicinity of docks is not without significance. This little traveller is readily distinguished from its British relatives by the conical head of florets, absence of ligules, and the pleasant apple-like odour, which is very marked upon rubbing or bruising any part of the plant.
Here and there along the banks of the Dee were some unusually large alders, reminding us that not the least pleasant of our associations with trees of different kinds are the associations of sound. The hum of bees about the Linden branches, the patter of the Aspen leaf, the rush of Ash foliage before a sudden storm, the plaint of a pine wood, which is a kind of harp of all the winds, each of these do their part in giving an irresistible speech and language to the trees of the wood. And so, with the Alder, for its choice of the margins of streams, one associates the sound of waters, the swirl and swish of some hasty North country beck, or the calmer ripple of a lowland brook. There, gnarled, dingy, weather-beaten, but always holding its own in the marshy soil, it has for company those flowers that most frequent such a locality—King cups (Marsh Marigold), Ragged-Robin, and Forget-me-nots.
Many of these trees were infected with two types of gall which are commonly met with on the leaves of the Alder. Both appear as prominent swellings or tubercles, and the two species may often be found on the same tree. In the one Alder-vein Angle Gall Mite Eriophyes inangulis (= E. axillaris) the galls occur in pairs and are confined to the midrib of the leaf or the axils of the primary veins. The other species (E. laevis) is readily identified by the more numerous galls, which are not usually in pairs, being distributed all over the leaf. Strictly speaking, both these are really pseudogalls—i.e., they are abnormal thickenings of the leaf, with an opening communicating into each from the under surface of the leaf. True galls, on the contrary, are always closed. Between Rossett and Gresford is a wooded eminence of curious formation, locally known as “The Roft.” This is the site of an old British camp, and the pleasant view from the summit is said to extend over seven counties. Many interesting plants were noted here, a number being calciphilous. These included the Dogwood (Cornus), Bloody Cranesbill Geranium sanguineum, Maple, Musk Thistle Carduus nutans and Welted Thistle C. crispus, Lesser Periwinkle Vinca minor, Giant Bellflower Campanula latifolia, Nettle-leaved Bellflower C. trachelium, and Helianthemum vulgare (Common Rock Rose),
Wild Liquorice Astragalus glycyphyllos (Milk Vetch) was observed in its old station, and in the adjoining woodland we found such plants as Pendulous Sedge Carex pendula, Wood-sedge C. sylvatica, Great Horsetail Equisetum telmateia (= E. maximum), the Woodruff Galium odoratum, and Yellow Archangel Lamiastrum galeobdolon (= Lamium galeobdolon). Many of the hazel bushes hereabouts were almost leafless, being badly infested with the larvae of Rhomboid Tortrix Acleris rhombana (= Tortrix ribeana), a moth very partial to its foliage. The most noteworthy plant of the district is the White Mullein White Mullein Verbascum lychnitis, a rare and local species which we found in quantity, and which has grown here for the past eighty years at least. White Bryony Bryonia dioica was plentiful in some of the hedges and seemed to largely take the place of the usually common Black Bryony Tamus communis, although the latter was also seen. After tea at the Trevor Arms, we hurried back to Gresford, and made an inspection of the church, an extremely interesting structure.
The Rector, the Rev. E. A. Fishbourne, kindly showed us over the building, and being a keen archaeologist, the account which he gave us of the history of the church was much appreciated. The churchyard is noted for its fine yews, while the sweet peal of bells forms “ one of the seven wonders of Wales.”
Calderstones Park 1 July 1908
An evening meeting was held at Calderstones Park on July 1st, when we were again fortunate in having Mr. L. G. Godseff, the Curator, as our guide. This meeting was mainly devoted to the study of trees and shrubs. An account of a similar meeting held here some time ago is included in the the Proceedings for 1907, so I need say little more. A small yellow-flowered “balsam,” probably Small Balsam Impatiens parviflora, was naturalised in quantity in a waste corner of the grounds. Under some beeches nearby was a crop of the fungus Suede Bolete Boletus subtomentosus.
Warton Crag 18 July
The fifth field meeting was a whole day excursion which was held at Warton Crag, near Carnforth, North Lancashire, on Saturday, July 18th. This was the first whole day excursion of the session, and it proved a most successful meeting in every way. The day was wet and unpromising before starting, but with our usual good fortune there was a sudden change, and on arrival at Carnforth the weather was all that could be desired. It seems somewhat in the nature of a record that during three seasons’ field work climatic conditions have been almost uniformly satisfactory, and on no occasion has the weather been sufficiently unfavourable to interfere unduly with the arrangements.
On arrival at Carnforth shortly after half-past nine the party was reinforced by several well-known botanists. An excellent luncheon, thoughtfully provided by our leader, Mr. J. W. Hartley, was waiting, and our thanks were also further due to Mr. Hartley for making all necessary arrangements with local landowners.
Walking to the village of Warton, which nestles at the foot of the crag of scar limestone of imposing extent, the party divided into two sections. The one under the leadership of Mr. H. Walker ascended the crag, and devoted special attention to the prolific vegetation of the limestone scar, and then descended and returned to Carnforth along the coast. The other party followed a different route, under the guidance of Mr. J. W. Hartley, of Carnforth, first visiting Mr. Platt’s alpine and fern gardens at the kind invitation of the owner. In both cases the routes taken permitted of the examination of several distinct plant associations of great interest and richness. The plants of the scar limestone, with its pavements, caverns, crag, and natural wood, are far too numerous to mention. In the natural thicket covering much of the crag, occurred in quantity, and in a truly wild condition, both species of buckthorn, dogwood, Spindle Tree, Yew, and Juniper. It is worthy of note that the Brimstone butterfly Gonepteryx rhamni is not uncommon here, but in South Lancashire, Cheshire, and North Wales, where the two species of Rhamnus are very rare or absent, this usually common insect is almost unknown.
Mr. Hartley called attention to the ravages of the rust fungus Gymnosporangium, a parasite which was considerably in evidence on many of the branches of the Juniper shrubs, to which it gives a dropsical appearance. Raestelia, the other phase in the life cycle of this heteroecious fungus, was also discovered on hawthorn bushes close by. The summit of the crag was reached after some difficulty owing to many members characteristically and commendably preferring to ascend through almost impenetrable undergrowth and thicket rather than by the usual track. While lunching here a certain ardent naturalist happened to leap across one of the numerous clefts by which the rock is intersected. A startled hiss and a rapidly retreating undulatory streak showed that he had almost jumped upon a reptile of some kind who had doubtless been engaged in a peaceful siesta. Momentary surprise was soon overcome by curiosity, and the trail was hurriedly followed up, but only in time to see a snaky tail disappear into a crevice beneath a large limestone boulder. Just as we were assuring ourselves that the prey had escaped us, we observed a head emerge from the opposite end of the boulder, and the snake immediately glided out and took refuge in a hole under an adjoining rock. On cautiously prodding the opening with a stick we found the reptile had dashed into a cul-de-sac, and was lying coiled up just inside. One gentleman was about to insert his hand to grasp the prey when it was suggested that it would be advisable to avoid handling the snake until we had obtained a good view of it and assured ourselves as to its identity.
The warning was exceedingly opportune, for on pulling forth the creature with a walking-stick handle we were startled to behold a very fine example of the Viper (Adder) almost two feet in length. We had imagined the animal to be a harmless Grass Snake, and naturally we congratulated ourselves on having given it the benefit of the doubt.
Of the wealth of interesting plants observed on this occasion, two call for special mention. The Sand Garlic Allium scorodoprasum was found in abundance at one point almost at sea-level by Miss M. B. Barr and Miss K. White, who are to be congratulated on this interesting addition to the county flora. In this case we refer to Lancashire proper from the botanical point of view, as for all flora purposes the anomalous isolated portion of Furness, although politically a portion of Lancashire, is best regarded as a part of Westmoreland. This plant formerly occurred on the bank of the Mersey above Liverpool, but no one appears to have seen it here for many years. Dr. C. T. Green tells me that he found Allium scorodoprasum in Furness, on the estuary just above Greenodd in June 1907, and it was also seen in this same station by Mr. W. Chesher, M.A., in July 1908. Prior to its discovery by Miss Barr and Miss White the Sand Garlic was quite unrecorded for the botanical vice-county of West Lancashire (V.C. 60).
A plant found near the base of the scar by Messrs. Wheldon and Wilson, and at first supposed to be & form of the Common Centaury, proved to be Erythraea capitata, Rend. and Brit., and is an addition to the county flora (now included in Centaurium erythraea subsp. erythraea).
Other interesting plants noted on this occasion were Deadly Nightshade Atropa belladonna, Slender Thistle Carduus tenuiflorus, and Welted Thistle C. crispus, Hairy Violet Viola hirta and Early Dog-violet V. reichenbachiana, Hairy St John's-wort Hypericum hirsutum and Pale St John's-wort H. montanum, Dark-red Helleborine Epipactis atrorubens, Rock Whitebeam Sorbus (= Pyrus) rupicola, Aspen Populus tremula, Dwarf Haircap Polytrichum nanum, Weissia controversa var. crispata (= Weissia crispata), Muhlenberg’s Cord-moss Entosthodon muhlenbergii ( =Funaria calcarea), Lichen Endocarpon miniatum, and many more, too numerous to mention. Great Mullein Verbascum thapsus and the Cat-mint Nepeta cataria were prominent constituents of the vegetation of the low bank skirting the shore, and the Horned Poppy was frequent in places. After tea at Carnforth, kindly provided by Mr. J. W. Hartley, a vote of thanks was passed to the leaders, and on the invitation of Mr. Walker the party paid a visit to this gentleman’s garden, where a collection of some two thousand plants, many of particular botanical interest, were contained in a comparatively small area.
Woodvale and Halsall 8 August 1908
Woodvale and Halsall, in South Lancashire, were visited on August 8th, this meeting being held in conjunction with the Southport Society of Natural Science, and under the leadership of Messrs. H. Ball and W. H. Stansfield. Alighting at Woodvale, several Members quickly discovered two patch of French Mallow Malva nicaeensis, an Italian alien, which was growing close to the station. Attention was chiefly devoted to the hygrophilous vegetation of the ditches, by which the former mossland is intersected. At some points, the ditches were awkwardly overgrown, while at other places a recent “cleaning ” did not improve them from a botanical point of view. Many of the usual species characteristic of the locality were found, as, for instance, the Frogbit (Hydrocharis), Fine-leaved Water-dropwort Oenanthe aquatica (= O. phellandrium) and Tubular Water-dropwort O. fistulosa, Cypress Sedge Carex pseudocyperus, etc. The Canadian Pond Weed Elodea canadensis was flowering plentifully, but only staminate blossoms were observed. Three of our four species of duck weed were in abundance. Fat Duckweed Lemna gibba occurred in patches of a purplish colour by which one could readily distinguish it at & distance from the surrounding Common Duckweed Lemna minor and Ivy-leaved Duckweed L. trisulca. The aromatic Bog-myrtle Myrica gale, a rapidly diminishing shrub in South Lancashire, was fruiting abundantly in one or two places. The Golden Dock Rumex maritmus was found very sparingly, and the locally rare Hornwort Ceratophyllum demersum was growing abundantly at one point. Heath Groundsel Senecio sylvaticus, characteristic of the South Lancashire mossland, was frequent, and fields on this recently-reclaimed land had a typical flora, including Purple Loosestrife Lythrum salicaria, Perennial Sow-thistle Sonchus arvensis, Corn Mint Mentha arvensis, and Common Hemp-nettle Galeopsis tetrahit and Large-flowered Hemp-nettle Galeopsis speciosa (= G. versicolor), the last-named evincing a marked partiality to potato-fields. Five species of bramble were obtained :--Rubus calvatus, White-spiked Bramble R. leucostachys, Rubus polyanthemus (= R. pulcherrimus), Plaited-leaved Bramble R. plicatus, and Rubus nemoralis (= R. selmeri). Red Goosefoot Chenopodium rubrum and Small Melilot Melilotus indicus were found on some waste ground near Halsall, and the former plant also occurred abundantly by the lane side east of Mossbridge Station.
After tea at Barton, Mr. Stansfield delivered a short address on the flora of the district. As a result of draining and cultivation very little aboriginal moss now remains in Lancashire, and concomitantly with the topographical changes involved thereby, the effect on the fauna and flora is becoming only too evident. Many plants and animals formerly plentiful on the Lancashire mosses have now become extinct or greatly diminished in number. Osmunda regalis, the well-known Royal Fern affords a striking instance. Formerly this handsome fern covered vast acres of moss, and was especially plentiful about St. Helens. Mr. Stansfield remarked that he could remember large quantities being brought from the mosses into Manchester markets. Now, however, partly owing to drainage, and largely as a result of vandalism, this striking plant is almost lost to the county.
In the course of the return walk to Mossbridge Station, Messrs. W. R. Sibbald end G. E. Taylor discovered the Yellow Mimulus Mimulus luteus or Monkey flower, naturalised by the side of a stream. This favourite Chilian garden plant is rapidly spreading over Britain, and has become perfectly naturalised in many localities, particularly along the banks of rivers and streams. This new station for Mimulus represents a second local record, and it will doubtless soon be found elsewhere in the Liverpool district.
Llyn Helyg 29 August
The last field meeting of the session, on Saturday, August 29th, was a whole day excursion, when, by courtesy of Lord Mostyn, Llyn Helyg was visited via Mostyn. This is the only lake of any size in Flintshire proper, end is picturesquely situated among pine woods, some 600 feet above sea level on the summit of the plateau lying between the Mold valley and the Dee. The locality is of supreme interest to the botanist, and is unique, never having hitherto been visited by any scientific society, while its existence only appears to have been previously - known to very few naturalists. This is the more surprising as, with the dubious exception of the sandhills, it would be impossible to find a more interesting locality botanically within a similar radius of Liverpool.
Only nine Members were present at this meeting, probably the most interesting of the season. Mostyn was reached at about ten o’clock, and in the hedge directly facing the station we noticed a large mass of Travellers’ Joy Clematis vitalba. There are a number of localities where this shrub is to be found in Flintshire, but it is probably not really native in the county. Passing through Mostyn Park, the route to the lake is by unfrequented bye roads, where even the ubiquitous motor car is seen but rarely.
Many beautiful and uncommon fungi were observed in the woods skirting the lake, including the handsome Fly Agaric Agaricus [ Amanita] muscarius), the latter species being discovered by Miss A. B. Gleave. The marginal vegetation of this picturesque lake afforded a rich variety of botanical interest, including features and species unrepresented in Lancashire and Cheshire. Although a whole day was devoted to this excursion the time proved all too short and totally insufficient for anything but a very incomplete examination of the plant life of this unique spot. Specimens of submerged aquatic plants, obtained by dredging from a boat, showed that the abundant vegetation covering the bed of the lake consisted essentially, if not entirely, of Quillwort Isoetes lacustris and a curious submerged form of the Shoreweed Littorella uniflora (= L. juncea). Among the many interesting species skirting the lake were the Pillwort Pilularia globulifera ( =P. vulgaris), which was fruiting plentifully, Round-leaved Sundew Drosera rotundifolia, Chaffweed Lysimachia minima (= Centunculus minimus), Allseed Linum radiola, and the normal or terrestrial form of the Shoreweed on which some of the curious flowers yet remained.
After tea at Caerwys, the Hon. Secretary delivered a short address on the botanical features of the lake, with special reference to the ecological aspects of the subject, illustrating his remarks by a number of photographs and specimens. To the student of plant associations, the locality is of special interest as a number of distinct groups of vegetation occur within a comparatively small area, and various subsidiary intermediate colonies are also represented. Some time was then devoted to the discussion and identification of specimens, this concluding an extremely profitable meeting.
Quite apart from the purely scientific results of these field meetings there is another aspect of such work, an altruistic one, which is perhaps overlooked by some. Who will deny that such meetings do not bring an occasional gleam of sunshine into the lives of many? Anything which attempts to arouse a love of Nature, and to make happier such of our fellow-creatures as possible, is surely not undeserving of support. In this way the earnest and sympathetic naturalist exerts an enormous power for good, although the fact is perhaps insufficiently recognised. And so, contented in his simple creed, and undisturbed by the clamour of sects and churches, the naturalist pursues his way until the daybreak appears and reveals the accuracy of his conceptions.