LIII. ISLE OF MAN. As My information about the flora of this island, is derived chiefly from a list of species observed there by Mr. James Macnab, and a catalogue of the Manx flora politely sent to me by Mr. Edward Forbes. the latter indicates also the comparative frequency of the species, and the soil or substratum on which they are found, this catalogue is referred to, in preference to Mr. Macnab's list. A small botanico-geologic chart, by Mr. Forbes, accompanied the list; and the island is thus described; "The Isle of Man is thirty miles long, by about twelve at its broadest part. The greater portion of the island is composed of clay-slate which at the sea coast is overlapped by greywacke and transition slate. At the north of the island is a large tract, almost flat, of sandy marl, the central part of which is covered by peat bogs. Sandstone appears at Peel, and the peninsula of Langness is partly composed of sand. At Castletown the coast is formed of a bed of transition limestone, the only instance of that rock in the island. Beds of peat are interspersed amongst the clay-slate, presenting the same botanical characters with those on the sand. The greatest elevation to which the slate rises is Snaefell, which is 2007 feet above the level of the sea. The mountainous district generally presents elevations of from 1000 to 1600 feet, but is unproductive in botanical treasures. As my residence in the island, since I engaged in botanical pursuits, has been only in the months of September and October, and once in May, during the first two weeks, I have not been able to examine its productions in the way of grasses, carices, orchidea and willows, and expect to find many rare summer plants there; yet I believe the list will present a tolerably correct idea of the distribution of the other phænogamous tribes in the island. There are several species, which are very common in most places, but which, as far as I can ascertain, we want altogether, such as Lamium album, Galium cruciatum, Veronica hederifolia, Alchemilla vulgaris, Geum urbanum, Linaria vulgaris, &c." Forbes, cat. Macnab, cat. AUTHORITIES. Mr. Forbes's Catalogue above mentioned. Winch's Contributions to the Flora of Cumberland. 1833. (The locality is marked on the W. side of the island, almost opposite the S. Berule, on the map accompanying the catalogue.) LEPIDIUM Smithii. Isle of Man. E. Forbes, sp. (This is not marked in the catalogues of Mr. Forbes or Mr. Macnab, while L. campestre occurs in both of them. The specimen of this, as the specimens of other Manx plants mentioned to have been received from Mr. Forbes, came without any name attached. Hence, I cannot say whether this species, called L. Smithii by myself, is what that gentleman has considered L. campestre. Mr. Forbes' catalogue indicates the latter as growing on the sand or sandstone and clay-slate, very commonly. H. W.) COCHLEARIA officinalis. On the greywacke and sand, common. Forbes, cat. grænlandica. On the greywacke, scarce. Forbes, cat. (I have a specimen of this genus, from Mr. Forbes, to which the name C. danica appears applicable, but I speak hesitatingly. H. W.) On the sand, rare. + ERYSIMUM cheiranthoides. Forbes, cat. Be tween the landing-place at Ramsey and the town, plentifully. Contr. Dou RESEDA fruticulosa. On she sand, scarce; on old walls, abundant. Forbes, cat. and sp. (On the map, localities are marked to the eastward of Castletown, and two-thirds of the distance from Peel towards Surly Point.) VIOLA lutea. Isle of Man. Mucnab, cat. SAGINA maritima. On the sand, rare. Forbes, cat. SPERGULA subulata. Man. (Mr. T. Jowett.) G. Howitt, sp. On the greywacke, rare. Forbes, cat. ARENARIA peploides. On the sand, common. Forbes, cat. marina. On the greywacke and limestone, very common. Forbes, cat. Man. (Mr. T. Jowett.) G. Howitt, sp. CERASTIUM tetrandrum. arvense. On the sand, scarce. Forbes, cat. LINUM angustifolium. On the greywacke, very rare. and sp. cat. Forbes, cat. RADIOLA millegrana. On the clay-slate and peat, common. LAVATERA arborea. Isle of Man. Macnab, cat. Forbes, HYPERICUM Androsæmum. On the greywacke, clay-slate, and sand, common. Forbes, cat. Man. (Mr. T. Jowett.) G. Howitt, sp. elodes. On the clay-slate and greywacke, common. Forbes, cat. and sp. ERODIUM maritimum. On the greywacke Forbes, cat. and sp. ONONIS spinosa. Borders of peat, very rare. lathyroides. MELILOTUS leucantha. *PRUNUS domestica. On the sand, scarce. and limestone, scarce. Forbes, cat. Forbes, cat. On the clay-slate, very rare. Forbes, cat. quite wild, though rarely flowering. Forbes, cat. |