Journal of Proceedings. xli 



F.G.S,, as the botanical " Guide, philosopher, and friend " of the expe- 

 dition. In vain, almost, their care: — 



" The best laid schemes of mice and men, 

 Gang aft a-gley." 



The day's meteorological horoscope, since the earliest hours, had been 

 crossed with malign influences. Some of our members, watching for 

 the dawn and the Deer near Monk's Woods, had seen the sun rise 

 with auroral splendours— the ominous " red sky in the morning " of 

 the shepherd's rhyming adage — and gloomy forebodings of the pre- 

 dicted sea-borne storm filled our minds. However, as vv^e cross the 

 railway at Theydon Gate, the afternoon, at worst, is but dull and 

 sullen ; we strike up the lane towards Theydon Garnon Church, some 

 thirty of us, hopefully but doubtingly. Here is plenty of work for our 

 botanists, particularly in a piece of broken ground to the right of the 

 lane ; the spot is quite choked up with many kinds of weeds, common 

 but welcome to the sight. Several species of Veronica and Epilohiiim 

 (Willow-herbs) in profusion; the charming little Enchanter's-Night- 

 shade [Cicaa), Ranunculus scelcratus, Teasels, Spurges, and fifty other 

 plants can be gathered in blossom or in fruit. Even the lane itself is 

 gay with Willow-herbs, Fleabane (Inula), Wound-worts, St. John's- 

 worts, Cranesbills, and Ragworts ; whilst the amateur botanist's crux, 

 the order Composite, is in great force. Our geologists stop to examine 

 a section of the chalky boulder-clay exposed on one side of the lane, 

 albeit a hidden fear of local boards and road-surveyors checks the free 

 use of the pick and hammer. The route chosen for our ramble is truly 

 a pretty one : pleasant flower-decked lanes, shut in by hedges of 

 Black-thorn, Dog-wood, Spindle, Maple, Hazel, Honeysuckle, and 

 Briars ; with long aisles of Nature's own Gothic architecture : tall 

 Elms and Lindens meeting over-head, and blotting out now and again 

 broad views of fertile valley and swelling upland, where quiet Essex ham- 

 lets and homesteads, red-tiled and gabled, nestle warmly amid the deep 

 green trees in the distance ; fair meadows and stubble-fields in which 

 child-gleaners still linger and claim " largesse " from the wayfarer ; deep 

 shady woodlands, and an antique church, rich in memorials of for- 

 gotten grandeur and past renown. The programme is surely tempting, 

 and with only a fair share of old Sol's ever welcome beams, the enjoy- 

 ment of the "meet" would have been ensured. But no! At an 

 early period of our ramble dense masses of vapour form and re-form 

 under a leaden sky with vicious and presaging aspect. In vain we 

 encourage ourselves with rash prophecies ; we feel that our doom 

 is written on the contracted and lowering horizon in unmistakable 

 characters. 



At the church we are welcomed by the Rector, Sir Cavendish Foster, 

 Bart., who kindly takes upon himself the office of cicerone. The 

 Rectory garden is of good old-fashioned type, designed ere carpet 



