help to unravel tlie difficulties which otherwise would liavc 

 attended the determination of the age of the remarkable sections 

 of Southern-down. 



The energies of even the most active amongst the members 

 being fairly exliausted, a halt was called on the sloping banks 

 beneath Dunraven Castle, and the botanists emiched themselves 

 with some rare plants, amongst others the Lithospermum 

 purpuro-cffiruleum (or purple groomS-well) and the Erodiuni 

 maritimum, sea storkes bill (Witches point) ; and at Southern- 

 down the Triticum loliaceum. At Bute docks, tlie Lepidium 

 ruderale, Lepidium draba, and the Carduus tenuifolius were also 

 found. A walk through the grounds of the Castle (which is a 

 misnomer for a modern house) gave more leisure for the enjoy- 

 ment of the fine views of sea and cliff, which stretch away on 

 either hand. The intense heat of the day, scarcely modified 

 even by the elevation of the Downs, was not however sufficient 

 to detract from the pleasure of this the second of the year's 

 excursions. 



The third and last, which took place in the Autumn, to 

 Montacute and Stoke-sub-Hamden, though well attended, cannot 

 be classed among the pleasantest of the Club's Excursions, It 

 will suffice to mention that the magnificently restored Church at 

 Yeovil, and the general effect of Havdman's translucent glairs 

 windows were much admired. The brass pre-Keformation 

 lectern delayed the members in decypliering the follov.ing Latin 

 inscription : — 



" Precibus nunc precor nunc eja rogate. 

 Frater Martinus Forester vita vigiletque beate." 



The Abbey Grange at Priston, now a Farm House, on the Avay 

 from Yeovil to Montacute, was visited. Ample opportunity was 

 - given to the members of most fully inspecting the imposing 

 fagade of the Elizabethan House, and meditating on the motto 

 over the doorway : — 



" Thro' this wide opening gate 

 None come too early, none return too late." 



