Page:VCH Kent 1.djvu/111

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BOTANY chalk ; a remark likewise applying to the generally distributed Hyo- scyamus niger, L. (henbane). ScRoPHULARiACE^. — VerbascuM Lychnitis, L. var. album. Miller (white mullein) is quite common in district 2, and was formerly so in district i ; there are a few stations in districts 3, 6, 8, 9. V. nigrum, L. (dark mullein) seems to be equally at home on chalk and sand, avoiding clay. V. virgatum, Stokes used to grow at Erith ; it has been collected within living memory at Charlton, Forest Hill, Dartford, and between Walmer and Kingsdown, but is a doubtful native ; like V. Blattaria, L., which has occurred in eight districts, though scarce and decreasing. Linaria repens. Miller, reported from six places, was probably indigenous in most of them. L. vulgaris, L. (toadflax), var. latifolia, Bab. is only known from Northfleet chalk pit ; the monstrosity called var. Peloria has occurred near Dover and Faver- sham. Mimulus Langsdorffii, Donn (M luteus, auct. angl., non L.) establishes itself here and there by streams and ditches. Of the critical eyebrights but little is yet known ; Euphrasia Rostkoviana, Hayne and E. gracilis, Fr. will no doubt be found on most of the heaths, and E. nemorosa, Pers. should prove to be common. E. Kerneri, Wettst. grows on the downs at Upper Hailing ; we have also received specimens of E. occidentalis, Wettst., gathered last year at Walmer by Mr. C. P. Hurst. Melampyrum arvense, L. once occurred casually at Dover. M. pratense, L., var. latifolium, Bab. is well marked in chalk woods near Dartford, Shoreham, Adisham, Boxley, Hartlip and Wye ; but intermediates between it and the type may usually be met with. Orobanchace^. — Orobanche major, L. (common broomrape) has occurred, but sparingly, in every district except 4, 10. O. caryophyllacea, Sm., confined to the south-east coast, is locally plentiful from Sand- wich to Folkestone ; one of its best stations is destroyed by the recent boring for coal near Dover. O. elatior, Sutton has been rarely observed, viz. about Woolwich, TrotteschfFe, Bigberry Woods (district 3), Dover and Tunbridge Wells. O. Picridis, F. Schultz only grows on the under- cliff between St. Margaret's and Kingsdown, and at Deal ; O. Hedera, Duby (ivy broomrape) near Shoreham, and in an unspecified locality in district 10 (WoUaston). O. mitior, Sm. (lesser broomrape), seldom native, is a noxious weed in clover fields throughout the county. O. amethystea, Thuill., limited to the underclifF near St. Margaret's, and at Abbot's Cliff and Lydden Spout near Dover, is parasitical on wild carrot and occasionally on restharrow. Lathrcea Squamaria, L. (tooth- wort), though locally abundant, has not been observed in districts 3 to 5. Lentibulariace^. — Utricularia vulgaris, L. (common bladderwort), plentiful in the marshes of district 5, has been found in six other divisions ; but U. neglecta, Lehm. has only been detected near Faver- sham, at Ham Ponds and at Headcorn ; JJ. minor, L. at Ham Ponds, and Eldergate in Romney Marsh. Labiate. — Mentha rotundifolia, L. (round-leaved mint) has a dozen 61