71 



past year. The first meeting was fixed for Mordiford, on May 17th, but a hope- 

 less incessant downpour of rain, which continued the whole day, prevented the 

 excursion. In the afternoon the members met and listened to a paper by Dr. Bull 

 on "The Life of Andrew Knight, and his work in the Orchards." Afterwards, 

 Mr. Cam, our Treasurer, presented the Club \vith a complete series of nature- 

 printed plates of the British fems. Tliis very welcome and valuable addition to 

 the library of the Club was only loaded with one condition, not unreasonable, 

 that they should be bound up in such a way as to be easy of access and well pro- 

 tected. The second meeting was held on June 19th, on the ^Midsiunmer Hill, at 

 the Southern extremity of the Malvern range. About 30 members, and some 

 visitors from the Cotteswold and Caradoc Clubs, walked up the winding path, and 

 soon found themselves on the summit, and here the Rev. W. S. Symonds gave a 

 lucid and energetic address on the geological features of the locality, and con- 

 cluded by mentioning some traditions connected with the Ragged Stone and Red 

 Earl dyke, which was very much appreciated from being given in situ. 



The Club sat down to dinner at the Eastnor Arms, and afterwards, Mr. 

 Blashill read a paper on the "Spanish chestnut as a substitute for oak, " and 

 exhibited a variety of sections of each, showing the diflEerence in the arrangement 

 of their medullary rays. 



Mr. RiLET brought some orchids from a neighbouring locality. 



The President showed specimens of, and described a white mould very 

 prevalent at that time, and injurious to young shoots of the apple, rose, and 

 laurel. 



Dr. Chapman sent a paper and specimens of Emphytus Serotinus, a fly 

 that for the last two or three seasons had much injured the foliage of the oak. 



The third meeting, the ladies' day, was fixed for Tintern Abbey, on July 

 19th, but fell through for meteorological reasons. It was carried out, however, on 

 August 21st, vnth complete success. The meeting was appointed for Trelleck, 

 beyond jSIonmouth, but this was found to be inaccessible. Sixty -three ladies and 

 gentlemen left Hereford by special train, and travelled by the Wye Valley Line 

 through some of the most beautiful scenery in the kingdom ; arriving at Tintern 

 at 11.30, they were met by Mr. BlasliUl, who had kindly come to conduct the 

 party over the beautiful remains of the once magnificent abbey. 



Mr. Blashill gave a short history of the building, from its commencement 

 in 1269 by Roger de Bigod, to the general dissolution of religious houses in 1537, 

 when Robert Wych was the last abbot. He then pointed out some pecuHar 

 features of the architecture. He illustrated his observations, not only by the ruins, 

 but also by plans and drawings brought with him. He directed attention to the 

 elaborate workmanship still evident in many parts, and reminded those standing 

 on the well-kept turf that the floor was once paved \vith ornamental tiles. The 

 monastic buildings were then inspected ; they are ranged aroimd an open space 

 called the Garth. Here Mr. BlashiU read a paper on the "General mode of life of 

 Monks." Soon after two, the members of the club and their lady visitors left 



