vm Proccedijiija. 



had kindly given permission. The storm of the previous night 

 had broken a very large limb from one of the beeches ; it was 

 honeycombed with holes containing remains of birds' nests, &c. 

 In a smaller tree, a wood pigeon's nest containing two eggs was 

 discovered, but not disturbed. Among the numerous plants noticed 

 may be mentioned the rampion (F/njteuma orhiculare) in great 

 abundance [Aspenda ci/nanckica), dropwort, Viola hirta, with 

 cleistogamous flowers and fruit, and many other plants charac- 

 teristic of the chalk down flora. The way was then taken 

 through cornfields to Sanderstead Church, and thence by the 

 footpath to the foot of Croham Hurst and to Croydon ; the distance 

 traversed being about seven miles. The members and friends 

 who took part in this ramble agreed that this new departure of 

 the Club was a distinct success, the more leisurely proceedings 

 enabling greater attention to be given to observation and to dis- 

 cussion than on distant and more ambitious excursions. 



August 1st. This excursion was under the direction of 

 the Geological Sub-Committee, and was conducted by the Presi- 

 dent and Hon. Sec. Members and friends to the number of 

 eighteen assembled at Betchworth about 10.20 a.m., and leaving 

 the station, proceeded through the curious old village to a bridge 

 over the river Mole, the pretty scenery near this spot being very 

 much admired. The party then walked towards the range of 

 chalk hills, passing through a brickfield situated on the Ather- 

 field clay, and a sand-pit in the Folkestone beds, till another 

 brickfield was reached, on the gault clay, where the interesting 

 machinery for making bricks by the dry and wet processes was 

 examined, as also were the drying and burning kilns. A visit 

 was then paid to the hearthstone-pits, a series of underground 

 workings penetrating for a considerable distance into the hill. 

 These were explored by several members of the party, who 

 examined with much interest the headings and the shoring up of 

 the roof of the passages, the fungoid growth on the timbers 

 used being of a most remarkable appearance. The ascent of the 

 escarpment was then continued until a large chalk-pit was 

 reached, where a magnificent face of chalk was exposed, and a 

 few fossils were found. After a further arduous climb, the sum- 

 mit of the hill was reached, when the party rested to enjoy the 

 splendid view, and hear some notes relating to the locality by 

 Mr. Budgen. Walton Heath was then crossed, and some loam- 

 pits containing small fractured flints of neolithic age were 

 examined. Eeigate was reached about 4 p.m., where the party 

 was received at Highfield, the residence of Mr. Budgen, Sen., 

 who hospitably provided tea on the lawn of his house. The 

 members of the Club arrived at Croydon at about half-past six 

 o'clock, after a most pleasant day. 



Notes on the district visited : — In carlv times the whole area of 



