287 



oxalic acid, so often used in a concentrated form under the name of " Essential 

 Salts of Lemon," to take iron-mould stains out of linen. So save your money in 

 future, O happy inhabitants of the lovely valley of Grwyney ! Get a handful of 

 leaves of the wood-sorrel growing: at your doors, crush them with a rolling-pin, 

 and the acid pulp will remove your iron-moulds. The pretty plant, too, has 

 another use that deserves to be known. If boiling water is poured upon a handful 

 of bruised wood-sorrel leaves, and allowed to get cold, it will form a grateful and 

 pleasant drink to allay the thirst of fever. 



Another plant, not very common in Herefordshire, was very abundant by the 

 path-sides of the Ffwddog, the Tuberous moscatel, Adoxa moschatellina ; and 

 many of the plants were attacked with the microscopic fungus, Puccinia adoxce, 

 so curious under the microscope. It was interesting to notice how sensible the 

 plants seemed to the poison of the fungus, how distorted and how swollen they 

 grew in the vigorous efforts to overcome the parasite. 



In one spot of this valley two very rare ferns grow, Lastrca thclypterii and 

 Osmunda rcgalis. It is the only Herefordshire locality for Thelypteris, and there 

 is only one other, near Kington, for the Osmunda. 



The Geranium syJvaticum also grows here, and in one small meadow near the 

 head of the valley, Gymnadenia albida grows pretty freely. 



The scenery of the ascent became more and more lovely as every turn was 

 made in the path. It had become misty, with falling drops of rain ; and that had 

 advantages, although sunshine would have been preferred. The district, too, has 

 points in its history of high local interest. It was formerly part of the great 

 Forest of Moel, or Moyle, the liberties of which were granted by Jasper, Duke of 

 Bedford, as Lord of Abergavenny, to the inhabitants of Llandeilo and Llan- 

 wenarth. In the times of feudal barbarism this vale witnessed the massacre o 

 Richard, Earl of Clare, when passing from his castle of Usk to his territories in 

 Breconshire. Giraldus C'ambrensis gives this account of it. Brien Fitz Count,* 

 lord of Abergavenny, escorted the Earl of Clare to the skirts of the forest, and 

 wished to continue, but the Earl imprudently dismissed his guard in spite of the 

 remonstrances of his friendly conductor. He continued his route with his usual 

 attendants, preceded by two minstrels, who piped and sang alternately as if to 

 throw all prudence at defiance. In a narrow pass, Jowerth, of Caerleon, and a 

 numerous body of Welshmen, suddenly rushed from the thickets and slew the 

 Earl of Clare and all his suite. 



Nearly at the top of the hill, within some 300 yards of the camp, was a fine 

 spring of water ; and two other springs, it is said, are within enclosures close at 

 hand. In the watery waste beneath the spring the little Ivy-leaved crowfoot, 

 Ranunculus hederaceus, was growing freely. It is rare on lower ground, and the 

 travellers, getting weary and short of breath, were glad of its presence to comment 

 upon it and breathe awhile. 



The Gaer Camp forms the summit of the Ffwddog on its southern end. It 

 stands out alone, surrounded by lower ground, and commanding two reaches of 



* He was also called Brian of Wallingford and Brien de Insula, — Ed. 



