Memorials of John Ray / edited by Edwin Lankester.

Date:
1846
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Memorials of John Ray / edited by Edwin Lankester. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    They have a tradition in Wales about the puffins, that they cannot fly if they be out of the sight of the sea- water; their wings are very small, and yet they fly swiftly, but seldom very high. Here we saw the sea- swallow, [common tern, Sterna hirundo,| which is of an ash colour on the back, white under the belly, hath a black head and a forked tail (wxde nomen.) The bill, like that of the Larus cinereus [lesser black backed gull, Larus fuscus.| We saw another Larus, more black upon the back, and that had yellow legs. Saturday, May the 31st, we rode to Harlech, passing two fords, sixteen miles. Here are yet standing the walls of an ancient and strong castle, built on an high rock close by the sands; also a great level, which they call the marsh, which has doubtless been formerly gained from the sea. -Hereupon grows in plenty, Juncus acutus mari- timus sive capitulus Sorght C.B. | Juncus acutus, Linn.,| of which I suspect Phyt. Brit. makes three plants. This is a miserable poor town, yet is governed by a mayor, two bailiffs, and a recorder. Near Pen-morrun Sir John Owen has an house. Monday, June the 2nd, we rode to Aberdovy, seven- teen miles, over marsh land and sand. At Aberdovy lives the lady Lloyd, who informed me that Rubia tincto- rum | Rubia peregrina, Linn.| was found growing wild on the rocks there by Dr. Bowles ; but we had no time to search for it. I found a little sort of rushgrass upon the rock. Tuesday, June the 3d, we travelled over the sands, and so came round about by Talabont, to the silver mills, and viewed the mint at T'alabont, and took as exact a descrip- tion as we could of the silver works. Wednesday, June the 4th, we rode to the top of Plimllimmon Hill, and thence to Llanbadern, seventeen miles. Thursday, June the 5th, we went on to Cardigan, where there is a priory near the church. By the way we saw the place where stood a castle called Christmas Castle, - because it was begun to be built m the christmas. holy-