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covering about thirty acres, whilst the Tower of London covers 
only a little more than twelve. 
The water defences were on a most extensive and claborate 
scale, and constituted the principle strength of the Castle, and it 
is evident that when the fortificacations protecting the principle 
dam were taken and blown up, the fall of the Castle must have 
speedily followed. It is singular that there is no record of this 
event. Mr. Drane mentioned that the country people when 
speaking of anything as hopelessly lost, said, “It was gone to 
Caerphilly.” No doubt an allusion to the rapacious habits of 
the garrison in former times. 
From Caerphilly the members walked to Castell Coch, “The 
Red Castle,” as it is called from the colour of the stone. The 
Castle, which is quite a small building, stands on the edge of a 
ravine, and is being rebuilt by the Marquis of Bute. When 
finished, it will hardly be a desirable residence, and all its pic- 
turesque beauty is rapidly disappearing. The clerk of the works, 
who happened to be there, produced and explained the plans and 
elevations of the Castle. The view from the hill above is very 
fine. 
The members then descended to a small Inn at the foot of the 
hill, where a supply of broiled ham and eggs were not altogether 
unacceptable. The village rejoiced in the name of Tongwyn 
lais. Some of the party then proceeded to the Pentyrch iron- 
works, about one mile distant, and then reuniting with the main 
body at the Walnut-tree Bridge Station, the whole returned to 
Cardiff by rail, passing the encampment of the Glamorganshire 
Militia on the way. 
It should be added that the success of the excursion was chiefly 
due to Mr. Drane. 
Mr. Broome writes that :-— 
The botanical results of the excursion of the Field Club to Cardiff and 
Caerphilly were very meagre; no plants of much interest occurred except in 
the dockyard at Cardiff. 
