Ixii PROCEEDINGS OF THE 



Field Meeting, 19th May, 1881. 

 BUNTINGFORD. 



Heavy rain-squalls prevented a large gathering of members, but 

 at half-past two a fair number assembled at the Buntingford railway- 

 station, and imder the guidance of the Rev. J. A. Ewing started on 

 their walk to Braughing. 



Leaving the high-road the members went along the valley of the 

 Rib to Westmill, and were shown the beautiful little church by 

 their guide the Rector. Shortly after leaving the church, the 

 members were made aware that they had no longitude, being on 

 the meridian of Greenwich. 



Near Westmill station a slight detour was made to examine a 

 chalk-pit, and then, following the line of railway, many specimens 

 of the large edible snail, Helix Pomatia, were seen, and speculation 

 hazarded as to whether they were true natives or descendants of 

 escapes from the neighbouring Roman camp. 



Before arriving at Braughing station the rain began to come 

 down in earnest, and the party had to take refuge in the goods- 

 shed and reluctantly give up their visit to the encampment and 

 the rich botanical hunting-ground near Up Hall. 



The following plants in the Meteorological Society's list were 

 observed in flower : — 



Jtainmculus Ficaria. Galium aparine. 



R. ncris. Petasites vulgaris. 



Caltha paluslris. Sympliylum officinale. 



Cardamine prateusis. Veronica ChanuBdrys, 



Siellaria Holostea. Ncpela Glechoma. 



Geranium Robertianum. -Ajaga reptans. 



Lotus corniculalus. Primula veris. 



Vicia sepiiim. Plantago lanceolata. 



Potentilla axscrina. Mercurialis pcrennis. 



.Anthriscus sylvestris. Enclymion nutans. 



Field Meeting, 28th Mat, 1881. 



STANMORE COMMON. 



Assembling on the Common at about half-past three, the members, 

 including a large number of ladies, were soon scattered in various 

 directions, microscopists visiting the ponds at the further extremity 

 of the Common, while those interested in botany wandered over the 

 " gorse-clad moor" diligently searching for botanical treasures. 

 Amongst the " finds" may be mentioned the following: — Carduus 

 pratensis, Polygala depressa, Genista anglica, Veronica scutellata, 

 and a beautitul grass, Aira jlexuom. 



The party re-assembled at " The Grove," the delightfully-situated 

 residence of Mr. Geoi-ge Brightwen, and, after partaking of tea, 

 spent a very pleasant time in inspecting the museum and examining 

 interesting objects in Natural History. Amongst these a series of 

 designs in feathers, some representing the birds from which the 



