320 



pools, which may have formed eleven Immlred years ago — the Dyke is sup]iosed 

 to have been constructed about A.n. 784* — a far more formidable swampy 

 barrier than they do at the present time. Anyhow, it was necessary for the Dyke 

 to deviate either to the riglit or left of these pools. The left, or western, side was 

 selected, and the course was thence taken from Kennel Wood, in a direction almost 

 due west for a distance of nearly two iniles upon the top of llushock Hill, then 

 round the crest of Herrock Hill,t which it descends at its northern extremity, 

 and fro7n this point it resumes its northerly course, under Burva, and Evenjob 

 Hills.t 



The apjjroach to Plywood was made through the avenue of fine beeches and 

 elms. The Adder's tongue [Ophioc/lossiim) was found near Titley Pool, and the 

 Brittle Bladder Fern {Cri/stoptcris frayilis) was found on the boundarj' wall, near 

 the Garden Pool. Conspicuous amongst the giant trees was a handsome Sequoia 

 gigantca, or Wellingtonia, in the drive near Eywood. A halt was made at the 

 Garden Pool, with the view of collecting tlie party together, in order to listen to 

 a paper prepared by Mr. Lloyd ; and whilst he was opening his folio of 

 accompanying prints, some of the members were inspecting the "coracles," — of 

 which Ancient British Boats there were two on the bank of the Pool — whilst 

 others were admiring the beauty of the surroundings ; and Mr. Charles Fortey, 

 searching for freshwater shells, found at once Limntsa auricularia, and pcrcgra. 



'Offa succeeded to the Kingdom of Mercia in A.D. 755. Mercia was formed into an 

 independent state by Crida about A.D. 586, comprising in its full extent what are now the 

 counties of Chester, Derby, Nottingham, and Lincoln (North Mercians), Leicester (Middle 

 Angles), Rutland, Northampton, Huntingdon, Beds, Hertford, Bucks, Oxon, Gloucester, 

 Warwick, Worcester, Hereford, Salop, and Stafford (South Mercians). The death of Offa took 

 place at Offa-leia or Off-ley. Speed says sqth July, 794, Ingram's Saxon Chronicle A.D. 794, 

 Chronica de Mailros A.D, 796, Matthew Westminster A.D. 797. {Essay on The Life and 

 Institutions of Offa, A.D. JJJ — T)4 by Rev. lleitry Mackenzie, London, 1S40.) 



tHerrock — *' Hercope " of Domesday Book ; probably from hir — long, and cop—s. hill. 



tEvenjob, pronounced Enjob, probably from Evan's cop : so also Burlingjob, south of Old 

 Radnor, pronounced Burchop, from Burchelin's cop. 



