VOL. XVI. (3) EXCURSION—MALVERN HILLS 219 
Leaving The Wyche, the party dropped to a lower level for the 
purpose of inspecting a section of Silurian rock similar to that to be 
met with at May Hill. Members were moved to exclamations of 
admiration by the fine display of purple foxgloves on the sloping hill- 
side, and all the more noticeable because of the otherwise barrenness 
of the ground. Elsewhere there is an abundance of bracken, but 
here the foxgloves stand up like regiments of red-coated soldiers, 
and without companions, if we except the low-growing Heath Bed- 
straw (Galium saxatile), and the sweet-scented thyme, which has 
only to be crushed beneath the foot, or more tenderly squeezed by 
the fingers, in order to liberate the essential oil which constitutes its 
chief charm. 
A short visit was paid to the great diorite quarries at North 
Malvern, after which the party were driven to the town, and thence 
made the homeward journey by train. 
On p. 217 is shown the relationship of the Malvern Archzan rocks 
to the Neozoic rocks to the east,’ and in Plate XX the Malvern Hills, as 
seen from the slope of Leckhampton Hill above Leckhampton Church. 
Owing to the wedge-like mass of the Archean rocks forming the 
hills, the range is narrow, steep-sided and relatively bare (Plate XXI, 
figs. 1 & 2). 
Time did not permit of a visit to the Church (Plate XXII, fig. 2), 
but it may be remarked that ‘‘it was in the time of Edward the 
Confessor that the local Hermitage was converted into a Benedictine 
Priory.” It was subject to the jurisdiction of Westminster, and 
enjoyed for a long period much ecclesiastical influence. At the 
Dissolution of the Monasteries, the Church (like that at Tewkesbury) 
was purchased by the inhabitants for their Parish Church. The 
building is large and handsome, with a fine central tower, 124 feet 
high. It is partly Early Norman (Plate XXII, fig. 1), but chiefly 
Perpendicular in style. Only the arcades of the nave remain of the 
original Norman Church. ‘These are low and very plain, and are 
surmounted by a lofty clerestory. Besides the nave of six bays, with 
aisles, the church comprises a presbytery with an ambulatory of three 
bays and aisles, a north transept, a Jesus Chapel, and a north porch 
with a parvise. There was formerly a Decorated Lady Chapel, but 
this has disappeared. The Church was carefully restored in 1860-64 
by Sir Gilbert Scott, and its exterior decorations are very noticeable.” 
1 Lent by Mr John Sawyer. 
2 “*Borough’ Guide to Malvern,” pp. 30 and 32. 
