president's address. 83 



and deep regret was expressed at tlie damage wliicli this noble 

 mansion lias suffered from the falling in of the pit-workings below. 

 The works in progress for the repair of the mischief were 

 inspected, and the curious effects of the subsidence of the founda- 

 tion upon different parts of the building were particularly noticed. 

 From Lambton park the party directed their course to the 

 neighbouring castle of the ancient family of the Lumleys. On 

 their way they noticed the remains of Lumley Forge, once a 

 place of great activity, but now dismantled. Epijmctis latifolia^ 

 and other interesting plants, were gathered in the woods near the 

 castle. Lumley Castle is one of the most ancient edifices of the 

 kind in the country, having been castellated in the fourteenth 

 century. The older parts of the castle are still very perfect, and 

 are adorned with fine gateways, surmounted by the arms of the 

 Lumleys, and also by those of the families with which they 

 were allied, including all the great houses of the North. By 

 the courteous permission of the Earl of Scarbro' the interior of the 

 castle was thoroughly examined. The decorations of the rooms 

 are of an Italian character. The walls are covered with ancient 

 portraits of a long succession of the Barons Lumley, and the 

 ceilings are adorned with very fine arabesques and groups. The 

 rich carvings of the chimney-pieces also attracted notice. The 

 beautiful and extensive prospect from the top of the castle was 

 greatly admired. Li these pleasant labours time had fled so 

 rapidly, and the aspect of the clouds was so threatening, that it 

 was agreed to relinquish the remainder of the programme, and pro- 

 ceed at once by rail to Durham. Here the members partook of an 

 excellent dinner at Mr. Thwaites' hotel. Li the evening- eight 

 new members were elected, and the following papers were read : — 



1. " Note on the capture of the Camberwell Beauty, Vanessa 



Antiope^ in Castle Eden Dene." By Mr. Edward 

 Mounsey. 



2. " Memorandum of the occurrence of Carex Dwisa, a plant 



new to the district, on Hartley Links." By Mr. W. 

 H. Brown. 



3. "Letter from John Hogg, Esq., Vice-president of the 



Club, noticing the occurrence of Ciiscuta Epithymum, 

 Campanula hf/hn'da, and Phalaris caiiariensis in the 



