XXVI 



On leaving the station the party walked to the village, where 

 they were shown over the church by the rector. This building 

 was erected during the 14th century upon the site of a Saxon 

 wooden edifice, the charred remains of which had been discovered 

 when digging. It was enlarged by the addition of an aisle about 

 200 years ago. The rector stated that at one time there were no 

 fewer than nineteen altars dedicated to different saints in the 

 church, which was by no means a very large one. From Cowden 

 the party proceeded along the high road to Holtye Common, 

 finding on the way Arjaricus campestris and Boletus edulis. At the 

 inn a halt was made for refreshment, after which the party 

 walked across the common towards the Furnace Ponds. On the 

 common were found the sweet mountain fern, Lastrea Oreopteris, 

 in profusion, also Blechnum spicant, and here and there on the 

 banks, Lastrea Filix-mas and L. dilatata. The Furnace Pond 

 takes its name from some ironworks which formerly existed 

 here, and is said to occupy the site of excavations made for iron- 

 stone. The railings which now surround St. Paul's Cathedral 

 were cast at these ironworks. Close by a tunnel in the solid 

 rock was observed. In this pond a large quantity of the narrow- 

 leaved bulrush [Typha mujustifolia) was growing, and a little 

 further on, in Scarlett's Pond, the broad-leaved species (7'. hiti- 

 folia) was equally abundant. Judging from the planks that were 

 seen it was being cut for the market. The banks of the pond 

 were clothed with Mentha aquatica in full bloom, and here and 

 there was found the forget-me-not. Several interesting timbered 

 houses with massive chimneys, suggesting comfortable chimney 

 corners, were passed, and photographs of these were taken. All 

 along the route the wall-brown butterfly [Lasiormnata megwra) was 

 abundant ; some specimens of the sulphur butterfly {Gonqiteryx 

 rhamni) and some blues were also captured. Among the plants 

 collected were Achillma jitarmica, on the banks of what had once 

 been a pond, Scabiosa succisa, and a variety of Camjumida rotundi- 

 folia with large flowers, shorter and more open than the ordinary 

 harebell. The walk was a most enjoyable one. Although the 

 weather looked somewhat doubtful early in the day, the sun 

 came out in full force about noon. Some of the party returned 

 from Dormans Station, others went on to Lingfield, and returned 

 by a later train. 



On August 15th an evening ramble was made to Waddon for 

 the Eiver Wandle. In the grounds of Waddon Lodge, through 

 the kindness of Mr. Waterall, the pool fed by springs, which 

 forms one of the chief sources of the stream, was seen ; and in an 

 adjoining damp meadow, the verdure of which formed a refreshing 

 contrast to the general arid brown in this season of drought, 

 were found several marsh plants, as Cullha 2}alustris and Carex 

 hirta, not abundant in the neighbourhood of Croydon, 



