"It is my duty to study, and, if possible, to devise expedients for restoring me from this useless and melancholy state. Now, all experience assures me that regular occupation is that expedient; and it is my duty, if I find myself unequal to the severity of my usual exercises, to devise slighter subjects of employment which can be resorted to in the time of necessity. This I esteem to be an important part of moral discipline."-CHALMERS. Life, i. p. 165. THE NATURAL HISTORY OF THE EASTERN BORDERS. THE FLORA. "Ye field flowers! the gardens eclipse you, 'tis true, For ye waft me to summers of old, When the earth teem'd around me with fairy delight, T. CAMPBELL. THE names of the Plants indigenous to the district are printed in ROMAN LETTERS; of naturalized species in italics; and of plants cultivated for their utility in fields and plantations, the name is in the Antique letter. Stragglers of uncertain permanency, and notices of extirpated species, are printed in a smaller character and thrown into notes. To each of these classes there is besides a distinct set of numerals. Some species which have been introduced into former catalogues of our Flora, from inadvertency or error, are omitted without notice. To the "Habitats" in Berwickshire and in the Liberties of Berwick a B. is prefixed; a D. to those in North Durham; an N. to those in Northumberland; and an R. to those in the county of Roxburgh.—When no authority is given for the “habitat," it is to be understood that the plant has been gathered there at a meeting of the Berwickshire Naturalists' Club. In many instances the authority for the station is given, although the Club may have subsequently verified the discovery. The scientific nomenclature of the species is derived from the " English Flora" of Sir James E. Smith. When they differ, the names used in Mr. Babington's Manual and in the "British Flora," as edited by Professor Arnott, are also given. The provincial names of the Plants are printed in the Old English or Black letter. Great pains have been taken to collect these, which, it must be borne in mind, are often known to a few of the most observant only. They are sometimes too very local even in our limited district. The notices of the vulgar customs, virtues and uses connected with the plants, are also provincial, except when the contrary is stated. These notices have been derived principally from the communications of Mr. James Hardy, whose assistance in every part of this work I am anxious to acknowledge. 1. THALICTRUm minus.—B. In Dulaw dene, and on the banks between it and Redheugh. Sea-coast at Cockburnspath. In the dene between Ayton and Netherbyres; and on the banks of Alewater near its termination.-D. Tweed-banks opposite Spring-gardens: Spittal links; and banks beyond Hudshead.-N. Abundantly on Kyloe-crags.-June, July.-Appears to be confined to the eastern parts of our district. Far inland I find it growing in profusion about the Grey-Mare's-tail in Selkirkshire. 2. TH. MAJUS.-D. Wooded banks of the Tweed opposite MilneGraden.-R. Banks of the Tweed opposite Dryburgh; and on the Trows'-crags at Makerston or Malcarnestone, Dr. Frank Douglas. -Aug. 3. TH. FLAVUM.-Very rare. B. Wood at Netherbyres; and in Dunglass dene, Rev. A. Baird.-The recent improvements at Netherbyres may have destroyed that habitat. 4. ANEMONE NEMOROSA. Wood Anemone.-Abundantly in our denes where the soil is a vegetable mould or mixed with peat: "And woos the fairy solitudes Embosom'd in the leafy woods." Often found also on our elevated exposed moors, as on Lamberton, 66 Coldingham, and the Lammermuirs generally; and rising almost to the summit of Cheviot, where it is, as How says, a singular beauty to those barren hills." Phyt. Brit. 8.-April.—The petals close before rain. 5. RANUNCULUS AQUATILIS.- -Common in ponds and ditches, and conspicuous from the profusion and beauty of its white flowers in May and June.-Var. a. heterophyllus, with none of the leaves hair-like. B. In a ditch on the side of the Eye above Grant'shouse. Aug.-B. pantothrix, with all the leaves multifid or hairlike. D. In the pond at South-Ord. 6. R. CIRCINATUS.-D. In a ditch leading into the lough of Holy-Island, where it was shown to me by Mr. Babington.-B. In the mill-dam at Fouldene-East-Mains.-July. 7. R. FLUITANS. Eel-ware, a name given to it, either from its wavy motion in the water, or from harbouring eels when growing in a mass, for this is called an Eel-bed. In rapid streams frequent, flowering throughout summer, very freely in some years; while in other seasons the plant is mostly barren.—Mr. Babington says, "I have also gathered R. fluitans in perfectly stagnant ditches, quite preserving its specific distinctions." Ann. Nat. Hist. iii. p. 226.Willdenow had made the same observation long ago: "In fluviis et lacubus semper foliis longissimis dichotomis occurrit, nec ullo modo mutantur." Spec. Plant. ii. p. 1333. 8. R. HEDERACEUS.-Plashy spots in denes, and shallow ditches by road-sides, and in damp ground where water has stood during winter, frequent.-May-Aug.-The flower-stalks become singularly curved and deflexed as the fruit forms and matures; and the cluster of carpels is at length submerged. 9. R. FLAMMULA. The Butter-Plate, a name expressive of the comparative flatness of the corolla. In boggy moorish ground, common.-June-Sept.-It is called by some the Snake's-tongue, from the shape of the leaves. Shepherds say that the herb tastes like tobacco, and is deleterious to sheep.-J. Hardy. In In 10. R. LINGUA.-This fine species is scattered over the district. B. In Ferneyrig and Lithtillum lochs, Dr. R. D. Thomson. a bog at Craig's-walls in the parish of Edrom, G. Henderson. the Hen-poo at Dunse-Castle. In the Eden above Mark's bridge, Dr. F. Douglas.-D. Learmouth bog.-N. In the pond at Spindlestone; and in Newham Lough.-R. In Yetholm, Linton, and Hoselaw lochs.-Autumn. 11. R. FICARIA.-Flowers from about the middle of March to late in April in moist meadows, shaded banks and woods : "Careless of thy neighbourhood, But 'tis good enough for thee." |