253 



refreshment to the wayfarers, and much profit, it is to be hoped, to the 

 landlady . 



At this point the boat voyage terminated ; and in a hot sun, by dusty 

 ways, a long string of pedestrians struggled up the hill that leads to 

 English Bicknor; but ere they had reached the summit, a very unlooked 

 for, and under the circumstances, a very unwelcome, change in the 

 atmosphere took place,— it began to rain, and, by the time that the 

 party had gained the shelter of the church at English Bicknor, the i-ain 

 fell heavily. 



The church, which still retains traces of Norman work, sufficient to 

 render it of interest to the antiquary, was examined with much attention. 

 Tlie clergyman, Mr. Burdon, aflfording every facility to the visitors, and 

 personally inviting attention to the points most worthy of notice. 



Time, however, would not permit of much delay ; and in a steady down- 

 pour of rain the excursionists proceeded on their way, which led them by 

 a romantic path through the Forest, commanding from above most 

 extensive prospects of rock and wood, with the beautiful Wye winding 

 far below. These glories culminated at Symond's Yat, where, however, 

 the continued rain forbade a long delay, and all hurried down to the ferry 

 below, by which the further bank of the river was gained, and a mile or 

 two further, Whitchurch, where the foresight of the Secretary had 

 established an amjjle supply of vehicles for the transport of the party 

 to Ross. 



What boots it to tell in what draggled trim the passengers arrived? 



and how those who, like Gehazi, had taken the precaution to secure 



"two changes of raiment," rejoiced greatly in their forethought; while 

 others less provident had to go to bed instead of to dinner. Suffice it to 

 say, that in due time all the party came together, some eighty sitting 

 down to table, and doing ample justice to the good things provided for 

 their entertainment by the hostess of the Royal Hotel. 



After dinner, the Rev. W. S. Symonds read a short notice of the 

 geology of the district around Ross, which the state of the weather had 

 prevented his delivering in the field. 



Dr. Bird read a paper on the round and long tumuli of the Cotteswold 

 Hills, on the character of the Roman remains and the beautiful flint 

 implements found in these tumuli. 



The following list of plants noticed in the course of the day's excursion 

 was supplied by Dr. Bull of Hereford. 



