Clifton College Scientific Society. 63 



which tliis paper has been prepared, but I have only found an 

 hour or two of spare time in which to write it, though it is (ex- 

 cepting only the last paragraph) a collection of notes made by 

 myself, or given me by my kind friend Mr William Adams, Pre- 

 sident of the Cardiff Naturalists' Society. 



A vote of thanks to Mr Cruttwell for his able paper, and the 

 hearty interest shown by him in the Society's welfare, was pro- 

 posed by J. F. M. H. Stone, and carried by acclamation. In reply, 

 Mr Cruttwell spoke of the great benefits his connection with the 

 Society had conferred on him when he was at school, and said 

 that he could never forget the pleasant hours he had spent at 

 the meetings. 



In reference to a subject which had sprung up at the discussion 

 on P. R. Ogle's paper (June 9th), H. R. F. Brown stated that the 

 highest balloon ascent yet made was that of Gay-Lussac in 1804. 

 He ascended to the height of 23,000 feet ; but Briocchi, in 1806, 

 when endeavouring to ascend to a greater height, failed through 

 the bursting of his balloon. 



MEETING, July 7, 1871. 



The President in the Chair. 



The sixth meeting for the term was held on 7th July. Fifty- 

 eight members and visitors were present. 

 R. B. Don read the following jiaper on 



A CUEIOUS OLD CHURCH. 



I am afraid that what I am going to speak about will seem too 

 insignificant to be brought before the notice of so large a Society ; 

 that when I have finished, you will exclaim, 'What we have heard 

 is all very well in its way, but hardly worth telling before so 

 many listeners.' For I cannot speak to you of St Mary Redcliffe, 

 I cannot describe some grand old pile which has been the wonder 

 of ages, or some ruin whose name is a household word. My sub- 

 ject is a little country church — more resembling a superannuated 

 barn than anything else — which probably none of you have ever 

 heard of, and which it is quite likely no one present will ever see. 

 But this fact has seemed to me a recommendation rather than an 

 objection, for I cannot help thinking that a Society such as ours 

 requires, not so much long and elaborate compilations from 



