41 



sucking the honey from the pale purple petals, but it did not move ; 



" Perhaps his fragrant load may bind 

 His limbs : we'll set the captive free ! 

 I saught the living bee to find. 

 And found, the picture of a bee." 



Twopence each for plant and flower altogether was reasonable enough, and 

 the private stores in the cottage gardens were quickly lessened. The supply, 

 however, exceeded the demand, and long may it continue to be so. 



The district of Symonds Yat is noted for its botanical treasures. Besides 

 those plants already named its woods are varied with Yew, the small-leaved 

 Lime tree, Oak, Beech, Wych Elms, Hawthorn, Grey Poplar, Maple, Spindle 

 tree, Crab, Gueldarrose, Holly, Buckthorn, &c, and it is this variety which adds 

 so great a charm to the scenery in Autumn, when all the varied tints are so con- 

 spicuously shown. 



That excellent practical botanist, Mr. B. M. Watkins, met the Club here 

 and brought with him some other of its choice plants, as the Fly Orchis, Orchis 

 musci/era, and the green-leaved Houndstongue, Cynoglossum syhaticum. This 

 is a very rare and local plant, but the common Houndstongue, C. officinale, is 

 common enough. As there is a use connected with it which is not so well 

 known, we give the receipt : — 



To drive away rats and mice. — Gather the Houndstongue in full vigour 

 of growth ; bruise the plant with a hammer, and lay it in places frequented by 

 rats or mice and they will forsake the premises. 



So says M. Boreux, and we can well believe him, for the plant has a 

 horrid smell, and the animals have nicety and sense. 



The last portion of the ascent to the summit of the Yat was rather trying 

 to the ladies. It was in the full blaze of the sun, and steep, and the top itself 

 half baked. It was, however, surmounted by degrees, and here, seated on con- 

 venient inequalities, or reclining at length, under the protection of umbrellas, 

 the company listened to " The Address on Geology," by Dr. Wright, of Chelten- 

 ham. It was very eloquently given, and listened to with much pleasure ; 

 indeed, it is no light compliment to say what was the fact, that under such warm 

 circumstances it made fifty minutes seem to be only twenty. For the present 

 the summary of this lecture, as contained in the lines of old Chaucer, need only 

 be given — 



"He hath so well beset His ordinance 

 That species of thinges and progressions 

 Shullen enduren by successions 

 And not eterne, withouten any lie." 



Great applause was given at the conclusion, and Dr. Wright then led 

 the company to see a fine boulder, upon which he again spoke eloquently. 

 During the delivery of the address a specimen of Agrotislucernca was observed 

 careering wildly as is its wont, and in security, around the summit of Symond's 

 Yat ; and ever and anon the hills reverberated with the explosions made in 

 the limestone quarries on tlie Great Doward hill. 



