xxiv Proceedings. 



and lighter in colour. Descending to Godatone, a halt was 

 made for luncheon, after which the party went on to Tilburstow 

 Hill, where some time was spent in watching a detachment of 

 the London Irish Volunteers signalling with the hehograph to 

 others on Gravelly Hill, some two or three miles distant, and on 

 Holtye Common, still further in the opposite direction ; these 

 stations forming links in a chain of heliographic communication 

 established on that day between Chatham on the east and Alder- 

 shot on the west. A fine section of the Folkestone beds of the 

 Lower Greensand was exposed in a sand-pit by the roadside at the 

 top of Tilburstow Hill. After crossing Tilburstow Common, 

 where Rhamnus Frangula was found, and stopping to slake their 

 thirst at a spring of deliciously cool water issuing from the foot 

 of the hill, the party came to Tandridge Mill. In the mill- 

 ponds the sweet flag, Acorus Calamus, was found. Passing the 

 mill, with its overshot wheel and picturesque ponds and cascade, 

 they went on through woods and hop-fields to Tandridge Church, 

 prettily situated among trees. In the churchyard is a noble yew 

 tree of immense girth and great antiquity, the trunk hollow 

 with age, but the branches still of vigorous growth. In the 

 church itself the most noteworthy features were the massive 

 timber framework supporting the belfry and spire, and the 

 curious dormer windows serving the purpose of a clerestory on 

 the south side. The route then lay by Oxted Green to Oxted, 

 and thence home by train. 



On Saturday, June 17th, a half-day excursion was made to 

 Kew Gardens, always full of interest and beauty ; though at this 

 time suffering only too evidently from the effects of the prolonged 

 drought. The rock garden, herbaceous borders, Victoria regia 

 house, and palm house were visited. 



On June 29th a heavy storm of rain, one of the very few 

 which occurred during the past dry summer, prevented an 

 evening botanical ramble which had been arranged to Shirley 

 Hills and Addington Park. 



On July 8th a half-day excursion was made under the auspices 

 of the Botanical Section to Box Hill and Leatherhead, Mr. Men- 

 nell acting as guide. The parched and stunted condition of the 

 vegetation, owing to the long drought, was unfavourable for the 

 objects of the excursion. Arriving at Burford Bridge, the party 

 climbed Box Hill, a precipitous spur of the chalk escarpment, at 

 the angle where the valley of the Mole cuts through the North 

 Downs. The hill takes its name from the box-trees which grow 

 abundantly on the steep chalky slopes, and is perhaps the only 

 British station in which Buxus sempervirens is native. The other 

 Box Hill rarity, Teiicrium Botrys, was not found, nor were the 

 bee-orchis and other orchids which have been recorded from 

 there. On the way from Box Hill by Headley Lane to Leather- 



