52 A NOVEMBER RAMBLE. 
emphatic manner, and constantly flying down close to our dogs, 
venturing almost to beat them with their tiny wings. 
Wending our way homeward by a field path we passed a small 
farm, where I lingered awhile at the gate and watched the arrange- 
ments for the nightly comfort of the various animals, each appear- 
ing to be kindly cared for; even the donkey, usually so oppressed, 
was here unharnessed by loving little hands, and, with a gentle 
pat and a kiss, turned into the orchard to feed with those busy 
vegetarians, the geese—altogether forming a pretty and peaceful 
picture. Near the field path we found hosts of old friends still 
lingering on the sunny hillside in almost undiminished beauty, 
among them the three Geraniums before named; Buxbaum’s 
Speedwell (Veronica Buxbaumii), with its large brilliant biue 
flowers; Field Scabious (Anautia arvensis); Shepherd’s Needle 
(Scandix Pecten-veneris); Chicory (Cichorium Intybus); Wild 
Radish (Raphanus Raphanistrum) ; with a few plants of the pretty 
but troublesome Corn Crowfoot (Ranunculus arvensis). Ina field 
of turnips we saw a fine plant of the Garden Marigold ( Calendula 
arvensis) in full bloom. Many of the trees were wreathed with 
graceful climbing plants, the Black Bryony (Zamus communis), 
With its brilliant crimson berries, being most conspicuous. Our 
path in the woods lay through deep beds of leaves, the crisp 
rustling of which under our feet reminded me of the murmur of 
the sea upon a soft sandy shore; here we were frequently startled 
by a rabbit or other small animal springing up and bounding 
away over the leaves. 
From Toweridge the path leads above West Wycombe Park, 
whence the view is remarkably pretty; passing near a wood 
where, in Spring, we find one of our sweetest and lovliest wild 
flowers, the Lily of the Valley ( Convallaria majalis). Near Chapel 
Lane, into which our path leads, is a small triangular wood, 
almost surrounded by water, where the earliest Primroses (Primula 
vulgaris) are ever found. Thence our route led through a narrow 
lane, past Desborough and Copy Farm to Newland. This lane 
in Spring is full of floral treasures, and even now is bright with 
the varied hues of the Autumn leaves, red, purple, and rich golden 
