xxiv Proceedings. 



On Monday, August 3rd (Bank Holiday), a whole-day excur- 

 sion was arranged. I regret I was unable to join the party, and 

 am indebted to Mr. Low Sarjeant for the following notes : — 



Seventeen members assembled at the station, and on arriving 

 at Merstham proceeded to Gatton Church, which they went 

 over, admiring the fine oak carving, and the comfortable 

 arrangement of the squire's pew, provided with a cosy fireplace 

 for its own benefit. Thence to Gatton Hall, with its well-known 

 and magnificent marble hall and staircase, and fine statuary. The 

 park was crossed, refreshment obtained at a roadside inn, and 

 the party then made their way over Banstead Common by Tad- 

 worth Court and Burgh Heath to Banstead Downs, and so home 

 by Sutton. Photographs of Gatton Church and other objects of 

 interest were taken by the way, and the day proved a very 

 pleasant one. 



On Saturday, Aug. 29th, a very pleasant half-day's excursion 

 took place, to Caterham and Godstone. The walk over White- 

 hill to Godstone is always a charming one, the view southward 

 from the high ground being one of the finest in the district ; 

 but it was grievous to see the havoc which some new comer 

 (said to be an artist) has wrought on the beautiful War 

 Coppice on the top of the hill. A more lovely bit of ground it 

 would have been difficult to find. Now it is robbed of all its 

 beauty ; its ruthless owner has literally flayed it alive, skinning ofif 

 thetiirf which used to be carpeted with flowers, and leaving bare 

 the chalk rubble. Here used to be our best ground for numbers 

 of beautiful orchids, and especially our only station for the rare 

 musk orchis, Herminlum monorchis, now, alas, hopelessly des- 

 troyed. The deadly nightshade [Atropa belladonna), the plough- 

 man's spikenard, and other plants, were gathered on the southern 

 slope of the hill. 



At Godstone the fine series of millponds were visited, and 

 yielded several interesting freshwater Algas. 



Here also I found Mr. Beeby's new Sparf/aniuin neijlectum 

 growing abundantly, Mentha palmlosa, and other plants. 



A large party sat down to an abundant, well-served tea at the 

 village inn, and a pleasant walk back by the road to Caterham 

 in the evening was much enjoyed. 



Our last excursion was on Saturday afternoon, Sept. 26th, in 

 which we were joined by members of the Holmesdale Club. 

 The gatherhig was at the Addington Hills, and by the courteous 

 permission of the Archbishop, Mr. Goscheu, and Mrs. Suther- 

 land, we were able freely to range where we listed. The wooded 

 triangular piece of ground with the pond at its apex, now 

 enclosed by wire fencing, is very rich in Fungi, and the party 

 spent some time in searching it, passing thence by the pine 

 wood to the lodge and so into the park, which was in its 



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