290 EXCURSION 10 GLASTONBTTEY. 



grouping and elevation as in lithological character; but they are inferior, 

 inasmuch as they are deficient in the wood and water, which constitute 

 such valuable adjuncts to the picturesque appearance of the latter. 



I was tormented — almost past endurance — by a crowd of importunate 

 women and boys, who lie in wait for passengers at the entrance of the 

 defile, and plague them to purchase roots of the Cheddar Pink, (Dianthus 

 cvesius,) which they cultivate for sale. I believe the plant has been quite 

 eradicated from all accessible stations on the rocks, though doubtless on 

 some of the loftier precipices a few scions of the old stock may yet retain 

 a firm and impregnable hold, where urchin's foot dare never venture, nor 

 hand of botanist intrude. 



The Lesser Meadow-rue, (Thalictrum minus,) grows in profusion upon 

 the rooks, and Polypodium calcareum at their foot. Argynnis Adippe was 

 in swarms on the upland pastures. 



Between Cheddar and Yatton, at which point I rejoined the Great 

 Western Railway, the country is of a highly interesting and diversified 

 character, the road traversing the flanks of the Mendips, which it crosses 

 a little beyond Axbridge, overlooks a wide extent of rich pasturages, level 

 as when the waters of the 'tertiary' sea washed the base of the hills, but 

 having the uniformity of its surface perpetually varied by rounded monti- 

 cules, — 'outliers' of the 'lias' or mountain limestone, which formed islets or 

 shoals in the retiring waters of that ancient ocean. Occasional openings 

 afforded distant peeps of the Severn, and the Welsh hills beyond; while 

 the elevated outline of the Quantock Hills beyond Bridgewater closed in 

 the perspective towards the south-east. 



I was greatly struck with the air of comfort and cleanliness in the 

 villages through which I passed, in which the comeliness of the population 

 likewise formed a very noticeable and pleasing feature; for natural beauty 

 is never more admirable than when exemplified in the human subject; but 

 more especially so when it forms the type of a class, and is not the mere 

 distinction of a family or an individual. 



With my arrival at Yatton terminated my short excursion into Somer- 

 setshire. The district which I visited is indeed full of objects of deep 

 interest, and deserved, had time been permitted me, a more lengthened 

 pilgrimage. I have however thrown together these few notes in hopes that 

 they may interest some amongst the readers of "The Naturalist," to whom 

 the opportunity of visiting these delightful scenes is denied, or may 

 serve to induce others, having more leisure at their disposal than I had, 

 to follow in my footsteps, — in either case this short notice will not have 

 failed of its intent. 



Elmore Court, August 2nd., 1858. 



