Proceediuffs. xlix 



grandifiora, and the fly orchis were just coming into flower, and 

 some magnificent plants of the deadly nightshade, Atro/ia Bella- 

 donna, were noticed on the chalk-banks. Mr. MacLachlan, who 

 was with us, captured here a fine specimen of the wood tiger- 

 moth. In and about the quarries many orchises were in full 

 bloom ; and the large butterfly, H.ahe)iaria chlorantha, the sweet- 

 scented Oipniiadenia conopsea, the bee, Ophrys djiifera, and 

 the fly, Ophrys iituscifera, were all in plenty ; I had also the 

 pleasure of gathering fine specimens of tlie Adder's Tongue, 

 Ophior/lossiua vulyatuni, thus confirming an old record of John 

 Stuart Mill's. In the woods above Titsey, Mi/osotis syh-ntica was 

 still in bloom, though past its best. Thence we followed the 

 ridge to Botley Clump, whence a magnificent view was obtained 

 across the rich and beautifully wooded country from Oxted to 

 Westerham and thence to Seveuoaks, and southward to the 

 South Downs, Chankenbury Eing above Worthing being dis- 

 tinctly visible. Our photographic members had some of them 

 brought their cameras, and these were brought into requisition 

 and a very good group of the party obtained. Looking north- 

 ward, the Ci'ystal Palace, St. Paul's, and the course of the 

 Thames eastward could be seen. A pleasant walk over hill and 

 dale brought us to Chelsham Common. Some of the chalky 

 fields by the way so thickly strewn with flints that little or no 

 soil was visible, provoked from our Canadian friend comparisons 

 not flattering to them, with the rich deep black soil of the 

 prairies. He told us he had been much impressed everywhere 

 he had been in England, and here more than anywhere, with 

 the immensely greater amount of labour and tillage needed to 

 obtain a crop than in Canada, and the consequent crushing dis- 

 advantages under which our farmers labour. In the ponds on 

 the Common the water purslane, Pcplis portula, and Chara 

 fifd-ilis were abundant. Some refreshment was obtained at the 

 well-known Inn, and the walk home by Selsdon, Croham, &c., 

 brought a very pleasant day to a conclusion. About 200 species 

 of flowering plants were noted, and the keen interest in our 

 native flora shown by Prof. Macouu reminded me pleasantly of 

 my own enthusiasm when exploring with him the swamps around 

 Ottawa, the prairies of the North-West, a flora so new and 

 strange to me, and when on the lofty Eocky Mountains we found 

 the, to me, familiar and beautiful flora of our European Alps 

 and Scottish Mountains. 



On July 3rd a day's excursion to Frensham Ponds with the 

 Holmesdale Club was announced. I regret to say -that I and 

 members of my family were the only representatives of Croydon 

 present. The distance is almost too great, and the railway con- 

 nection too circuitous and slow for us to undertake from Croydon. 

 It is nevertheless a most interesting excursion. The vast sandy 



