Page:VCH Kent 1.djvu/97

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BOTANY river, and a little chalk in the east and south. The growth of London and its suburbs has destroyed former stations for many good plants. About Woolwich, Plumstead and Erith aliens are especially numerous. 2. Lies east of district i, south of which its border follows the Surrey boundary to a point between Tatsfield and Brasted. Hence it runs east along the Pilgrims' Way, past Chevening, Otford and Wrot- ham, to the Medway at Snodland ; then, turning north, descends this river to its junction with the Thames ; thence west to Erith. Principally chalk, with Lower Eocene beds, of which the Hundred of Hoo mainly consists, and a considerable amount of alluvium about the two estuaries. This is, botanically, the richest tract in Kent (and perhaps in all Britain), owing to its great diversity of soil and elevation and its submaritime coast. The southern half is well wooded and sparsely populated. 3. From Rochester down the Medway to Sheerness ; thence (in- cluding Sheppey) along the sea to the channel separating Thanet from the mainland, and south to Sarr railway bridge ; from this point west along the line, through Canterbury, Faversham and Sittingbourne to the Medway. Lower Eocene, with much alluvium in the north and a very little chalk. There are extensive salt marshes, particularly westwards, some of which are not yet thoroughly explored, and a large area of woodland stretches west and north of Canterbury. The flora, though interesting, is not very varied. 4. The Isle of Thanet ; bounded on the south by the winding Stour. Entirely chalk, east from Birchington and round to Pegwell Bay, where there is a band of Lower Eocene (Thanet beds) extending for about four miles westward, with alluvium in the west and south. The smallest district. Excepting the coast from Sandwich to Ramsgate, it does not seem to have been much worked of late, and should repay further search. 5. From the sea, south of districts 4 and 3, to Canterbury ; then south-east along the high road by Barham and Lydden to Dover, and north to Sandwich. Chalk, with extensive Lower Eocene beds about Canterbury and Ash ; alluvium near the Stour and its tributaries, and a long stretch of blown sand from Deal to Sandwich. The coast-flora is very interesting, and has been thoroughly investigated ; the central (and less attractive) part is not so well known. 6. Situated to the south of district 3 ; its border runs from Roches- ter south along the Medway to Burham, thence south-east below the downs, through Detling, HoUingbourne and Eastwell to Wye ; following the railway north-east to Chilham, and thence north to the junction with district 3 near Lower Ensinge. Chalk, with outliers of Lower Eocene in the north, and some alluvium in the river valleys. Well wooded in the west and south-east, with a typical chalk flora. 7. Bordered on the north-east and north-west by districts 5 and 6, and from Dover to East Wear Bay by the Channel ; thence west and north-west by the road through Beachborough, Postling and Pickersdean 47