346 
material. Mr. Brown also points out that as there are several 
other species of Asclepias with much the same habit as the plant in 
question, it is just possible that some of them may also contain 
rubber, but in 
found to be rubber of good quality and would probably have 
realized at the time (14.4.09) about 4s. 6d. per lb. 
the bed of the Thames at Brentford 
The following particulars of this interesting relic are taken from 
* The Great Ford across the Lower Thames,” being the title of an 
exhaustive paper on the subject by the donor, which appeared in 
the paper it is stated that “in early times we 
know that the south-eastern district of Britain was cut off from the 
interior by the Thames and its marshes, and that the first practical 
means of crossing this barrier was by the ford at Brentford, the 
“In times of war this 
. Jealously guarded and strongly protected, and this is proved by 
ommanded the fordway below. 
ial j , Was upon the wooded uplands of 
ae ee cae ee ba aan Dyke. At either end stood 
? at Hi on a h Hi in 
ad Cele (Ux lee ush Hill, protecting the fords of the 
* + 
* * * * 
led ‘OLD ENGLAND,’ Brenrrorp. 
ishop Gibson, writing..in 1695, says that the Thames was in 
ancient times easily forded at Brentford, and is so still, there being 
