44 
The river Elan rises on Ty-newydd hill in Cardiganshire, and within about a 
mile and a half of its source it sinks under some black turbary ground for about 
fifty yards, and where it appears again is called Byrlyman Elan (Elan Bubbles). 
Tt runs in a course of twelve miles before it joins the river Claerwen at Nantgwillt. 
Throughout this district there is much sameness in the geological formation, 
the only thing attracting the attention of visitors being the scenery, which is con- 
sidered by many to be that of a minature Switzerland. 
This will be recorded as a red letter day in the history of Cwm Elan, as I do 
not think that it has ever before been visited by such a numerous gathering of 
scientific explorers. A good deal might be said on the botany of the district, and 
I hope that the attractions of the neighbourhood are such that the Woolhope 
Club may again be induced to visit us, when one of your members might read a 
botanical paper. 
A map of the geological section of the district was shown to illustrate the 
different strata, and Dr. Richardson afterwards exhibited several objects of interest 
in bronze and stone found in the neighbourhood. 
In the absence of the President, still away busily cataloguing the wild plants 
of the district, Dr. BuLL, amidst warm applause, gave the thanks of the members 
of the Club, and of all the ladies and gentlemen present, to Dr. Richardson, not 
only for the interesting address he had just given them, but also for all the trouble 
he had so kindly taken to render their visit so pleasant and agreeable. 
The members now adjourned for the excellent cold collation, which had been 
so well provided for them at Cwm Elan, by Mr. and Mrs. Williams, of the Lion, 
and they afterwards separated to follow the bent of their several inclinations. 
Some seated themselves on the rocks in the bed of the river, to enjoy in silence the 
rushing torrent, Mrs. R. Lewis Lloyd very kindly came herself to the meeting, 
and carried off some of the members to see the beautiful grounds of Nantgwillt, 
situated at the junction of the river Claerwen with the Elan. The President and 
a few other enthusiastic botanists set off up the valley and over the hills, cata- 
loguing still the Radnorshire plants, and they only appeared again at Rhayader 
station just in time to catch the return train. Others followed the guidance of Dr. 
Richardson across the slender bridge and up the opposite hill, and were rewarded 
by a lovely and extensive view of the windings of the valley, with the bold and 
rocky mountains surrounding it, whose steep gradients and rocky precipices might 
well be found, as they were, quite impracticable by the few who attempted in 
vain to scale them. Botany was the order of the day with most of the ladies 
present, and it must suffice now to allude briefly to a few of the more interesting 
plants which were found. Ferns were very abundant. Every rill that rushed 
down to join the Elan had all its nooks and corners crowded with their 
beautiful fronds. The oak and beach ferns, Polypodiwm dryopteris and P. 
phegopteris, were found plentifully ; the elegant little fern, Cystopteris fragilis, 
hung here and there very gracefully ; there were splendid specimens of Wither- 
ing’s fern, Lastrea spinosa ; and of Roth’s fern, Zustrea dilatata, and many of the 
more ordinary ferns. Most abundant and beautiful, as it ever is, was the Lady 
