Ixvi PROCEEDIIfGS OF THE 



The members at first crossed the park in the dii'ection of the 

 Swiss Cottage, the picturesque grounds of which were lingered in 

 for some time. A deciduous cedar of fine growth here attracted 

 attention, and, after crossing the Eiver Gade by a rustic foot-bridge, 

 in the woods which were then entered Impatiens fulva and /. parvi- 

 jiora were seen growing in abundance. Both these plants are intro- 

 duced species, and their presence here, where a congenial habitat 

 has allowed them to become completely naturalised, is probably due 

 to the proximity of the Grand Junction Canal along which their 

 seeds have been accidentally conveyed by barges. 



Leaving the Swiss Cottage grounds at a private gate leading into 

 Rouse Barn Lane, the canal was then crossed, and almost imme- 

 diately the park was re-entered by another private gate. After a 

 slight ascent, a fine double avenue was entered and was strolled 

 through to a point from which is to be obtained one of the prettiest 

 views in the park. There is here an opening in the trees through 

 which the river and canal are seen in the valley below, and beyond 

 a more distant part of the park, with Cassiobury House and its 

 surroundings forming the background. 



Whippendale Wood was then entered by a private gate at its 

 lower end, and strolled -through to near the lodge at the farther 

 entrance to the park. From here the party returned towards 

 "Watford through the avenue of limes and beeches, over the river 

 and canal, and, by the invitation of the Earl of Essex, through the 

 beautiful and well-kept gardens of Cassiobury House, and then 

 through the adjoining wood- walks. Amongst the many fine trees 

 which adorn these grounds, a tulip tree. Lit iodendron tulijjifera, 

 was specially noticed as of exceedingly handsome growth, and also 

 a well-grown specimen of Abies Louglassi, the trunk of which 

 measures 16 feet in circumference. In the wood-walks Geranium 

 nodosum was met with, evidently being a stray from the cultivated 

 grounds. 



The meeting, which was under the direction of the writer, was 

 brought to a close by a visit to Xascott House, the residence of 

 Mr. George Rooper, late President of the Society, who, with Miss 

 Eooper and other members of his family, very kindly received and 

 hospitably entertained the numerous party. 



EiELD Meeting, 28th October, 1883. 

 WATFOED. 



A few of the members of the Society assembled at a quarter to 

 two on the bridge in the St. Albans road which crosses the London 

 and North "Western Railway, where thev were met by Dr. Braith- 

 waite, F.L.S., Dr. M. C. Cooke, A.L.S., Mr. E. M. Holmes, F L.S., 

 and Mr. Worthington G. Smith, F.L.S., who had come from London 

 to investigate the cryptogamic flora of the Tunnel and Nascott 

 Woods, this being the second Cryptogamic Meeting of the Society. 



The fields were first crossed in the direction of Callow Land 

 Farm, and in a copse close to the farm several cryptogamic plants 



