125 



with very ready acceptance. It wa^ found, however, that this refectionary 

 interlude occupied so much time, that the delay rendered impracticable 

 the prosecution of that portion of the programme of the da/s work, 

 which embraced a visit to Sapperton Tunnel and Hailey Wood, and it 

 was deemed advisable to proceed direct to Cirencester. Here a visit was 

 paid to the Museum of the Royal Agricultural College, to that of Roman 

 Antiquities adjoining Lord Bathurst's Park, and to the so-called "Bull- 

 ring," at the Querns, which Professor Buckman regards as the site of 

 the Roman Amphitheatre. 



The party dined at the Ram Inn, about 26 in number. In the absence 

 of the secretary, the vice-chair was occupied by Professor Buckman 

 After dinner Professor Buckman introduced to the notice of the Club 

 specimens of Cnicus tuberosus, grown from plants of C. acaulis, discovered 

 by the Professor, at Avebmy Circle, WUts, and transferred by him to a 

 richer soU-showing in a most interesting manner how the one form, 

 ■ few-flowered, stemless, and with simple roots, changes by cultivation into 

 the tall, many-flowered, and tuberous-rooting form of C. tuberosus. 



These experiments show the genus to be highly capable of variation, and 

 hence in all probability much confusion has arisen in regard to nomen- 

 clature, a point which after all, experiments alone can settle. 



Major Barnard exhibited examples of a Pynis, new to our county 

 and indeed, as it would seem, to England generally.-P^n^s fenmca, of 

 Babinaton, to which that distinguished authority assigns " Mountains in 

 the Northern part of the Isle of Arran," as the only know^ British 



locality. 



The discovery of these plants in our neighbourhood is a circumstance 

 of great interest to botanists, and reflects credit upon the acuteness and 

 intelligence of our associate. 



An interesting discussion ensued upon the sudden and inexplicable 

 appearance of new and strange plants, on newly cleared ground, of which 

 curious instances were mentioned by Mr. Norwood, the president, and 

 others It is probable that carefully coUected observations on this class 

 of fax^ts would prove of value by throwing light upon the obscure and 

 hitherto unexplained circumstances connected with the origin and distn- 



bution of plant life. 



Before separating it was resolved that an extra meet of the Club should 

 be held at Cheltenham, in September. Accordingly, on Wednesday, 

 24th of that month, the final meeting of the Club for the season took 

 place at the Queen's Hotel, Cheltenham, from whence the party, accom- 

 panied by many lady-visitors, proceeded to Sudeley Castle, near Wmch- 

 comb, the residence of Mr. and Mrs. Dent. A halt took place by the 



