189 The Flora of Wiltshire, COMPRISING THE Flowering Plants and Ferns indigenous to the County; No. I. ST is intended to commence in the present number of the Society's Magazine, the publication of a series of papers on the "Flora of Wiltshire," principally with a desire to induce those who may be at present unacquainted with its botany, and the beautiful field of nature which their own county presents, to study this most pleasing and instructive branch of Natural History. It is one which treats of the complicated mechanism and wonderful vital properties, of perhaps little less than 100,000 species of organized beings. These occupy, as it were, the middle station between the animal and mineral kingdoms, nearly allied to both, endowed with powers which enable them to accommodate themselves to every variety of situation, mountain, valley, savannah, desert, placid lake, or restless ocean; and to flourish alike under the scorching rays of an Equatorial sun, or through the enduring winter of the Poles. By their rainbow hues, varied forms, and delightful fragrance, they excite the imagination, and contribute to the enjoyment of the most refined sense; some scarcely to be distinguished from the rock they clothe, some fragile and evanescent; a few hours embracing their periods of growth, maturity and decay; others rising in majestic grandeur, defying the blast, and affording the shelter of their umbrageous arms to successive generations of men. Again, another very important reason for adopting the present form of publication, has been to enable all botanical friends and correspondents to see exactly, not only what plants are present or absent from the county, but in what proportion the species are rare or common, and from the localities quoted, to judge which parts of the county have been best explored, and which most neglected by botanists. They will then be in a better condition to diminish the apparent infrequency of certain plants, here given as scarce, by the communication of habitats from the less examined districts, or to supply novelties, on the sure ground, that they are such because specially omitted by name, whenever attention has not been called, as will be done in some instances, to the probability of their occurrence. It is only by these means that its "Flora" can be satisfactorily known, the geographical range and distribution of the various species ascertained, with any degree of accuracy. It would be too much to expect, from the following series of papers, more than a small contribution towards the knowledge of the distribution of plants. Yet it has been well observed, that it is only from the evidence contained in such local surveys, that comprehensive inferences can be securely drawn. In them the philosophic contemplator of nature ought to find exact, if not complete, data for correct reasoning, and if the districts into which it is proposed to divide a county, be well chosen, not too limited in area, nor too uniform in physical constitution, conclusions of general value may be safely proposed upon an adequate basis of observed facts. In preparing our minds then, to commence the study of the “Flora of Wiltshire," we should not fall into the false idea, that the naming of plants is all that is required. Although it is undoubtedly one of our leading objects as practical botanists, it should ever be borne in mind, that such knowledge is merely superficial and tends to no intellectual or practical good. Our great aim should be a thorough acquaintance with the science. We should study it in all its bearings. We should possess a knowledge of the anatomy and structure of plants, in order to qualify ourselves for understanding the functions of their different parts, such as the root, stem, leaves, and flowers; and for judging of their importance in the economy of nature. We should examine also the relations they bear to each other, their specific differences, and general alliance. And lastly, we should investigate their properties, in order to ascertain the special uses to which they may be applied in the economy of man. Having done this, it remains within our choice in what way we are to follow up our knowledge practically; whether, as agriculturists, to contribute to the improvement of land, or, as horticulturists, to beautify our private mansions. Should the inclinations of the botanist tend to the scientific pursuit of the subject, nothing can prove a greater source of pleasure than the forming of an Herbarium, or repository of plants, either of the district in which he lives, or of the county generally.1 In order to do this, he allots a few spare hours occasionally to the field; perambulating the valley or the plain, picking here and there a plant of ordinary form and appearance: a little farther on he gathers of the sweet and lovely flowers of the little stream or the winding river. At another time he will explore the woods, or climb the rocky sides of a distant hill, adding plentifully to his stock of plants rich in gay colours, as well as to that of shrubs, whose verdant green contrasts strongly with the slender grasses, carices, and ferns of the swamp beneath. A third excursion will find him upon some of our lofty downs, amongst plants of great variety, remarkable for the fineness of their texture and richness of colour, and enhanced greatly by their modesty of size. Such rambles afford endless sources of gratification. While they contribute to the health and strength of the body, they exhilarate the spirits, and impart to them tone and vigour. Not the least of their advantages, are the wholesome impressions made upon the mind, chiefly by the associations with which they are afterwards connected. He who has joined with companions in a botanical party, and with them often visited native spots of beauty, and gathered their treasures, can truly know the feelings of delight that arise in the breast, "feelings" 1 It being the intention of the Society to commence the formation of a County Herbarium for future reference, Botanists would confer an especial favour, by forwarding to Mr. Cunnington, Devizes, duplicates of such Wiltshire plants as they could conveniently spare, or would collect, and dry for the Society. It is also requested that any apparent Anomaly or Monstrosity occurring in the growth of plants may be preserved, and deposited in the "Museum," when they shall receive such explanations as their nature will permit. By this means, Botany would acquire an accession of useful labourers, whose materials may hereafter be employed, modelled, and arranged by those, whose better talents, and more abundant leisure, may render them particularly fitted for the task. (says Dr. Balfour,) "by no means of an evanescent nature, but lasting during life, and at once recalled by the sight of the specimens which were collected. An occasional glance at an Herbarium, will call forth many a pleasing recollection, many a circumstance otherwise forgotten." One little plant will often tell a tale of adventure, and revive many an agreeable association of persons, places, and incidents. This is not the least of its pleasures. It appears that it is only after the lapse of time, and especially when far removed from the scenes of botanical study, that we can fully appreciate its value. Should not this then be a strong incentive to the study of the science of nature, that in the pursuit thereof we form the acquaintance of those who are treading the same paths; and lay the foundation of friendship always delightful, and ever permanent ? Botany has a still higher claim upon our attention than those already indicated. It forms no small portion of that great volume of nature, which, when read in the true spirit of wisdom, serves as the handbook to the Volume of Inspiration. It is the echo of the voice of the Creator "of the heavens, and of the earth, and all that therein is." The knowledge of the one will never be found at variance with the truths of the other. Nay, the more deeply we study each—the more minutely we compare the facts and phenomena of the one with the revelations of the other, the more evidently shall we see the harmony that subsists between them, and the more beautiful is the light they shed upon each other. In the arrangement of the "Flora," the county has been parted into two principal divisions, and these again into five subordinate sections. The species have been severally traced through each division and section, so far as ascertained to occur in them. Upon this plan it is hoped that complete lists for several districts will ultimately be recorded, by inducing repeated excursions into each of them in succession. For in order to be of scientific value, a Flora should be even more remarkable for the accuracy of the stations it enumerates, than for the number of species it contains. Experience has shown, that it is almost impossible for any one person, however active, satisfactorily to examine a large tract of country. Therefore, in a work of this kind, when the difficulties of compiling the researches of others are at the same time taken into consideration, perfect accuracy can hardly be expected on its first appearance; but something, it is hoped, will have been gained, by arranging the facts already collected, in such a form as to enable a more complete "Flora" to be eventually published, when additional researches have been made by other botanists in the county, whose attention may be drawn to the study of this interesting science by the present attempt. In the preparation of this series of papers, the invaluable Floras of Smith, Hooker, and Babington have been taken as text books; (the latter work being most deservedly in use with all who wish to keep up with the progressive state of botany in this and other countries of Europe,) and the Wiltshire plants have been compared with the works of Koch, Reichenbach, and other continental botanists. The "Botanist's Guide" of Messrs. Turner and Dillwyn; Mr. H. C. Watson's "New Botanist's Guide;" and "The Natural History comprehended within the distance of ten miles round the City of Salisbury," by the late George Maton, M.D., have likewise been consulted. Many valuable remarks have been furnished by the "Cybele Britannica," of Mr. Watson. The authenticity of the localities rests on the authority of those persons whose names are appended to them; except in those instances, in which specimens from the locality named have been seen by the writer: those are indicated by a mark of admiration, (!). The remaining localities have been ascertained by the writer's personal observation, and for these he is alone responsible. Species naturalized, but certainly not indigenous, will be distinguished by a star (*) prefixed; and those plants which may possibly have been introduced by the agency of man, by a dagger (†) appended. The time of flowering of the various species has been added, but much uncertainty in this respect prevails, in consequence of the variable state of the climate; April plants not flowering till the end of May, and vice versa. It is now the compiler's pleasing duty to return his most sincere thanks to those friends, who have kindly assisted him with their |