BOTANY summits of our downs are covered with a shallow layer of turf, which has been said to be the finest natural carpet in the world, and there is every reason to suppose that they were always open, dry, and as we now see them so they existed in primeval days. With the exception of the Hangers on the northern slope, which are also probably of very ancient date, the woods which now cover some of their summits, such as those near Goodwood and Arundel, have been all made within the memory of man or within the reach of record. From Shoreham to Eastbourne the average depth of the soil is not more than four or five inches, and on this some of our plants become so dwarfed and altered in appearance and habit as scarcely to be recognized as being of the same species with their representatives on lowland soil. The permeable nature of the chalk has a remarkable effect on the superincumbent vegetation and renders it well suited to our orchids, presently to be specially referred to. Taking our down plants seriatim we notice first the pheasant's eye {Adonis autummlis), with its bright scarlet petals not common in the county, but to be met with occasionally at Portslade and Rottingdean in cultivated fields, as is too that curious little species the mousetail [Myos- urus minimus). The hairy violet [V. hirta) is not infrequent westward. Many leguminous plants love the downs. By Duncton Hill, near the chalk pits, grows the rare sweet milk vetch {Astragalus glycyphyllos), with leaves which taste like liquorice. At Bury, Parham and Amberley we find the pretty narrow-leaved everlasting pea {Lathyrus syhestris)^ and in the same neighbourhood the yellow vetchling {L. aphaca). The horse-shoe vetch {Hippocrepis comosa) is rare westward but common on the eastern part of the range. Of the Rosacea we here note only the dropwort {Spircea Filipendula), which abounding in some of the districts is absent from others. Among the Composites we have the flea wort {Cineraria campestris) on the downs between Shoreham and Brighton, but it is local and uncommon, while the beautiful musk thistle {Carduus nutans) and the curious carline thistle {Car/ina vulgaris) are abundant. The bell-flowers are among the most lovely of our down plants. Every one knows the pale blue harebell {Campanula rotundifolia). The nettle-leaved bell-flower (C. trachelium) is to be found in chalky lanes, and certainly one of the handsomest ornaments of our hills is the clustered bell-flower (C. glomeratd) with its blossoms of a deep rich purple. Occasionally it may be seen transferred to cottage gardens, and it certainly well deserves culture. AUied to these is the round-headed rampion {Phyteuma orbiculare), locally known as the pride of Sussex, and by many considered the loveliest ornament of the British flora. It is confined to the south of England, occurring only in Sussex, Hants, Dorset, Wilts and Kent very sparingly. Old Gerarde quaintly describes it two hundred years ago as having ' flowers of a purple colour, which part themselves into fine slender strings with threads in the middle, which decaying are succeeded by little cups, ending in fine little pointels and containing a small yellow seed.' Ray in 1670 speaks of it as growing on the downs of Sussex in 47
