238 



The last assault of hammeis was made at Gwernyfed, where Trinuchus flm- 

 hriatus are found, and a- few specimens were now secured, with portions of 

 Trinucleus conccntricus, and Ogygia Btichii, and O. PoHlockii. A visit was 

 next paid to the left bank of the Wye, where it flows through a narrow gorge 

 • among rough rocks water- washed, and of a most picturesque appearance. 

 Near this spot are some noted "silmon-catches," spots at which the bed of 

 the river is crossed diagonally by ridges of rock, through which the waters 

 have worn tortuous passages. Here are holes of enormous depth, with shelving 

 edges perilous to unpractised feet, which have been excavated in the course 

 of ages by the eddying waters, aided, no doubt, by the fragments of stone 

 which they have brought down with them. Places so marked by nature have 

 of course acquired a fame from superstition. Id one place there is a cavity 

 which bears the name of Rowland Gwynne's chair. Gwynae seems to have 

 been a magician or wizard in past days, and possibly, for a consideration, 

 performed certain diabolical rites at this spot to curse those who called for 

 his services — fot this was a heathenish practice which lingered down into 

 mediaeval times in the Principality ; and the name here of the deep place in 

 front of the chair, called "hell hole," countenances the supposition. Some of 

 the club had the temerity to sit in the magician's vacant chair, with wl ■■t 

 consequences time must unfold, and they must tako the benefit of the deed. 



Apart from the legendary lore attached to the spot, the ground ia 

 favourable to the growth of some rare plants. The globe flower (Trollius 

 Europceus) grows here, and even now a rare Allium {A. sch(enoprasitm) was 

 plentiful, though out of flower. Solidago virgaurca, in its small Cambrian 

 form, but in perfection of golden hue ; the sneezewort {Achillea ptarmica), 

 and a species of Hicracium, were also gathered here, and had time per- 

 mitted probab'y other plants of interest might have l)een found, for the spot is 

 most promising. From this gorge, which was left mth reluctance, the party 

 hastened directly to Builth, for the dinner hour was dose at hand, and mine 

 host of the Lion had a spread of substantial viaiuls in readiness for them. 



The following gentlemen and ladies took part in the proceedings of the 

 day:— The President, Dr. Cull; Geo. Bentham, Esq., F.II.S., President of 

 the Linnrean Society ; the Rev, W. S. Symonds, President of the Malvern 

 Field Club, and Master Reginald Symonds ; Edwin Lees, Esq., F.L.S., Vice- 

 President of the Worcester and Malvern Clubs ; Professor Griffiths and Master 

 Ernest Griffiths, Bowdou, Manchester ; John Bosley, Esq., Mayor of Hereford ; 

 the Rev. W. Jones Thomas, of Llanthomas ; James Rankin, Esq., Bryngwyn • 

 Captain PateshaU, Hereford ; the Rev. Thomas Woodliouse, Hay ; Richard 

 Baxter, Esq., Mrs. Baxter, and family, Welfield House ; Howel Gwynne 

 Howell, Esq., Mrs. Howell, Jliss Howell, and Thomas Howell, Esq., Llanel- 

 wedd HaU ; the Rev. Samuel Clark and the Rev. Andrew Johnson, Bred- 

 wardine ; the Rev. Samuel Alford, Glasbury ; the Rev. J. Edward Jones, 

 the Rev. R. H. Williams, By ford ; the Rev. Thomas PhiUips, Dewsallj 

 Dr. Grindrod, the Rev. H. Houseman, and Messrs, King and East' 



