200 



with a fine specimen in a snug corner, which underwent the same process of 

 spoliation and robbery outright. This spread wider still the news of the 

 discovery, and when a third i>lant was found in a still more secluded place, 

 the ColJwell rocks began to be considered what the botanists call a " habitat " 

 for the Osmunda. It was of no use for others to hesitate, and say that " the 

 Osmunda likes a wet, boggy situation," for the answer was ready at once, 

 "Yes, but you often find bits of damp, boggy soil in rocky places," and 

 besides, there was the undeniable evidence of the plants found. The true 

 explanation came out some time after, in the accidental complaint of the 

 owner of the property to one gentleman who had heard the botanical rumour. 

 He was telling him that he had taken the trouble several times to plant the 

 Osmunda regalis there, but it no sooner began to flourish than the plants 

 were carried off wholesale ! 



The only rare plants actually gathered were the deadly nightshade 

 (Atropa belladunna), a wanderer very possibly fron* the gardens of Tintern 

 Abbey in the olden time, the blue flea-bane (Eri-geron acris), the sulphiir- 

 smelling Pepperwort (Lepidium ruderak) of which an old herbalist writes that 

 it will drive all fleas from a chamber, and they will not return " by reason of 

 breaking their limbs in jumping out of ye windows." The swine's cress 

 {Senebicra coronojms), the hound's-tongue (Cynoglossum officinale), and many 

 others of less interest, were also found. 



The several parties appeared in due time at the ferry, had a pleasant 

 drive of about seven miles to Koss, and arrived there in ample time. 



The following gentlemen and ladies attended the meeting :— The Presi- 

 dent, Dr. Bull, with Miss Banbury and Master Bull ; the Vice-Presidents, 

 the Kev. H. Cooper Key and Dr. Mc CuUough ; the Honorary Secretary, the 

 Kev. Geo. H. Cornewall ; the Rev. P. B. Brodie, vice-president of the 

 Warwickshire Field Club ; Arthur Armitage, Esq., and Mrs. Armitage, 

 Dadnor; R. Hereford, Esq., Sufton, with Miss C. Hereford, the Rev. R. 

 Hereford, and Mr. George Hereford; K. Manly Power, Esq., Hill Court, with 

 two sons; James Rankin, Esq., Bryngwyn, Miss Bushell and Miss Ritchie; 

 J. Stratford Collins, Esq., and Mr. S. Collins, Wythale ; N. Kyrle Collins, 

 Esq., and Mrs. Collins ; the Rev. W. D. V. Duncombe, and Mrs. Duncombe, 

 Mawfield; John Lambe, Esq., Mrs. Lambe, Mrs. G. H. Hanbury, Miss Price, 

 and Miss Stokes, Hereford; H H. Wood, Esq., and Miss Wood, Whitehouse ; 

 Dr. A. R. Smith, and Mrs. Smith, Hereford; the Rev. — Spittal, Mrs. 

 Spittal, and Miss Jackson, Ewyias Harold ; T. Nicholson, Esq., Mrs. Nicholson, 

 and Miss Leggatt, Hereford; R. H. P. Styles, Esq., and Miss Styles, 

 Hereford; Thomas Blashill, Esq., London; Edw. David, Esq., Fairwater; 

 H. G. Apperley, Esq., Thomas Cam, Esq., H. Cribb, Esq., Timothy Curley, 

 Esq., H. Scrivin, Esq., and F. Symonds, jun., Esq., Hereford; R. D. Har- 

 rison, Esq., and H. J. Jenkins, Esq., Holmer ; the Rev. T. J. Eld, Worcester ; 

 the Rev. Arthur Gray, Orcop ; the Rev. Michael Hopton, Hoarwithy ; the 

 Rev. W. H. Purchas, Lydney ; the Rev. — Robinson .; and the Rev. C. J. 



