16 



The views from the higher ground were very beautiful, and the 

 deep blue colour of the sky, when seen from under the shade of some 

 fir-trees and in a direction with the back to the sun, was very re- 

 markable : it seemed to have a depth and transparency of tint which 

 was very striking. The entomologists and botanists obtained many 

 interesting specimens both of insects and plants, but nothing to 

 remark particularly, as the Members of the Club had gone nearly 

 over the same ground before. 



May 19th, 1866. — The Members of the Holmesdale Natural His- 

 tory Club made an excursion to Shalford, and walked from there to 

 Black Heath and back. 



Shalford Common offers several interesting plants, among which 

 may be mentioned Moenchia erecta, Myosotis collina, and M. versi- 

 color, PedicuUtris sylvatica, var. with white flowers, Nardus stricta, 

 &c. &c. 



In the sandy lane leading from the east portion of the common to 

 Black Heath, Glechoma hederacea was noticed with a very long 

 straggling habit ; Arabis thaliana, very tall ; Viola sylvatica, and 

 the usual plants of such localities. 



Higher up, near the Down, in open copses, Bunium fiexuosum 

 was noticed in great abundance and very fine, a number of its tubers 

 were dug out of the ground, and the Members seemed to relish their 

 nutty flavour. Here, on sandy banks, was observed Teesdalia nudi- 

 caulis, and on an open grassy spot some fine specimens of Botri- 

 chium lunar ia were found in good condition, and the bright Yicia 

 angustifolia in full flower. Spergula arvensis appears to be a very 

 troublesome weed in the light sandy fields in this neighbourhood, in 

 places literally covering the soil as if it had been cropped with it. 

 The common broom and the holly grow veiy fine near the Down, 

 and one very large rounded bush of the latter attracted the attention 

 of the Members from the quantity of flowers on it, and the busy hum 

 of insects sucking sweets from its blossoms. 



Many rare and interesting species of Coleoptera were captured on 

 this occasion, among which the following are especially worthy of 

 rote : — Anisodactilus atricornis, from the margins of a small pond 

 near Shalford Common ; Haploylossa pulla, and Cceliodes suhrvfus. 



