278 



decay. Tlie Church, too, was visited. What it may have con- 

 tained of interest previous to its renovation cannot be told, but 

 its present state is one of despair to the Antiquary. 



From Caldicot a drive of a couple of miles or so brought the 

 party to Caerwent, the Venta Silurum of the Romans, which, 

 together with Carleon {Gastrum Legionis), formed the chief 

 strongholds for keeping in subjection the warlike tribes of the 

 Silures. The walls which enclosed the Roman fortress are still 

 in existence, and present to the eye a national monument of the 

 highest interest. It is probable that they owe their preserva- 

 tion to the sparse population of the locality ; and though many a 

 neighbouring wall has been built with the stones of the Roman 

 fortress, there has happily not been sufficient demand to cause 

 the demolition of the ancient structure. This is one of those 

 instances in which such a law as that introduced by Sir John 

 Lubbock would protect from further spoliation all that still 

 remains of the most perfect example of a Roman walled town 

 in Great Britain. 



The drive from Caerwent to Chepstow was accomplished in 

 rain. At Chepstow the party dined at the Beaufort Arms. 

 After dinner Mr. J. Bellows completed the remarks which he 

 had commenced at Sudbrook Camp. Some observations were 

 made by Mr. Lucy and Mr. Stmonds on the geology of the 

 tunnel ; and by the President on the Roman lines of passage 

 across the Severn. He urged upon members the importance of 

 securing, before time and cultivation had entirely erased them, 

 the vestiges of Roman occupation on the Lower Severn, and of 

 illustrating the same by a map and memoirs. 



Having now passed in review the work done, and the gfDund 

 traversed by the Club during the past year, I think it may fairly 

 lay claim to having been as useful in its results as any of its 

 predecessors ; and as regards contributions to our " Transac- 

 tions," the interesting quality of the papers which will be 

 comprised in the next issue will bear witness to the industry 

 and observant powers of several of our colleagues. That this 

 spirit of observation may be nourished and extended in the 

 future should be the special object of every good Naturalist and 

 every earnest member of the Cotteswold Naturalists' Field Club, 



