Vlll 



ledge enabled most clearly to make out the form of this ancient 

 monument. 



Silbury Hill, said to be one of the largest artificial mounds in 

 the world, was then ascended by most of the party, and on return- 

 ing to the village, the church in which the rood-screen is 

 the most interesting work was carefully inspected, by which 

 time it was found that the dinner hour had arrived. 



After partaking of a well-served repast, Mr. Light offered some 

 conjectures as to the manner in which the Avebury stones had 

 been placed in position, which brought on a most animated con- 

 versation. 



The Secretary then explained their Geology, and showed how 

 portions boulders of the same rock had overspread the country 

 nearly as far as Cirencester ; in his short exposition he also took 

 occasion to point out the physical features of the Upper Oolites 

 and the succeeding Chalk Terraces, at the same time explaining the 

 different agricultural practices to which these had given rise ; and 

 thus concluded a most pleasant and interesting day, which was 

 rendered all too short in order to be in time for the inexorable 

 train. 



It may be interesting to know that the Avebury mounds 

 afforded, among others the following plants : 



ttippocrepis camosa, Horse-shoe Vetch. 



Asperula cynancliica, Quinsey Wort. 



These plants are interesting as electing to grow on lime rocks, 

 making however no distinction between Oolite, Chalk, or Moun- 

 tain Limestone. 



Orobanclie major, Tall Broomrape, an interesting plant, here 

 mostly parasitic on Thistles. 



Cnicus acaulis, Stemless Thistle, with anomalous as it ap- 

 pears stems several inches high, and presenting complete bunches 

 of flowers. This is one of the forms which has given rise to the 

 many synonyms by which the true species is surrounded. 



Whilst on the subject of plants, I may mention the discovery 

 of Anacliaris Canadensis, in Cirencester Canal. I saw the first 

 specimen of this plant in the fresh-water Vivarium of the Rev. J. C. 

 Thring, and on recognising it I was informed by him that he got 

 it from our canal ; here I went in search of it, and succeeded in 

 finding a large patch about 200 yards from the Cirencester head 

 of the canal. 



August 15th, Meeting at Cheltenham. A party of 16 gentlemen 

 met at the Old Imperial Hotel, from thence adjourning to the 

 temporary Geological Museum, at the Philosophical Institution, 

 when having examined the beautiful series of fossils mostly of 

 the district therein contained, they wended their way to the 

 great scarp at Leckhampton Hill. 



Here they were enabled to make out the following section of 

 the basement beds of the Inferior Oolite : 



