Vill 
ledge—enabled most clearly to make out the form of this ancient 
monument. 
Silbury Hill, said to be one of the largest artificial mounds in 
the world, was then ascended by most of the party, and on return- 
ing to the village, the churech—in which the rood-screen is 
the most interesting work—was carefully inspected, by which 
time it was found that the dinner hour had arrived. 
After partaking of a well-served repast, Mr. Light offered some 
conjectures as to the manner in which the Avebury stones had 
been placed in position, which brought on a most animated con- 
versation. 
The Secretary then explained their Geology, and showed how 
portions—boulders—of the same rock had overspread the country 
nearly as far as Cirencester ; in his short exposition he also took 
occasion to point out the physical features of the Upper Oolites 
and the succeeding Chalk Terraces, at the same time explaining the 
different agricultural practices to which these had given rise; and 
thus concluded a most pleasant and interesting day, which was 
rendered all too short in order to be in time for the inexorable 
train. 
It may be interesting to know that the Avebury mounds 
afforded, among others the following plants :— 
Hippocrepis camosa, Horse-shoe Vetch. 
Asperula cynanchica, Quinsey Wort. 
These plants are interesting as electing to grow on lime rocks, 
making however no distinction between Oolite, Chalk, or Moun- 
tain Limestone. 
Orobanche major, Tall Broomrape, an interesting plant, here 
mostly parasitic on Thistles. 
Cnicus acaulis, Stemless Thistle, with—anomalous as it ap- 
pears—stems several inches high, and presenting complete bunches 
of flowers. This is one of the forms which has given rise to the 
many synonyms by which the true species is surrounded. 
Whilst on the subject of plants, I may mention the discovery 
of Anacharis Canadensis, in Cirencester Canal. I saw the first 
specimen of this plant in the fresh-water Vivarium of the Rev. J. C. 
Thring, and on recognising it I was informed by him that he got 
it from our canal; here I went in search of it, and succeeded in 
finding a large patch about 200 yards from the Cirencester head 
of the canal. 
August 15th, Meeting at Cheltenham.—A party of 16 gentlemen 
met at the Old Imperial Hotel, from thence adjourning to the 
temporary Geological Museum, at the Philosophical Institution, 
when having examined the beautiful series of fossils—mostly of 
the district—therein contained, they wended their way to the 
great scarp at Leckhampton Hill. 
Here they were enabled to make out the following section of 
the basement beds of the Inferior Oolite :— 
a 
