VOL. xvni. (i) EXCURSION— CHIDEOCK AND SEATOWN 33 



Darts of our coasts. Why such varieties occur it is hard to say. Why for ex- 

 ample should a glabrous and a hairy form of Silene cuciibalus exist side by side 

 on the same plot of ground ? Environment does not explain such problems 

 There must be something in the vital powers of the plant which prevent it 

 from being absolutely stable and make for change. This of course is no 

 explanation, though it excludes an explanation which is false. West Bay 

 also produces the beautiful Sea Holly (Eryngium mantimum). two seaside 

 sDccies of Agropyron, viz., A. pungeus and A.junceum . Medicago maciilata— 

 (is this what is meant by Calvary Clover ? It has a purple spot m the middle 

 of each leaflet)— C«yr^!««s tenuiflonis, Glaux (the Sea Milkwort), Honkeneya. 

 . &c. [H.J.R.] 



The main party arrived at Bridport by the 1-55 p.m. train. Headquarters 

 were at the Bull Hotel. * 



The present population of Bridport is about 6,000. The town is a 

 municipal borough and an important market town. 



The records of the town's history are fragmentary in character, but it 

 is interesting to note that as far back as the time of Edward the Confessor it 

 contained a mint, 120 houses, and a priory of monks and it was a^place of 

 considerable importance at the time of the Norman Conquest. In the days 

 of the Plantagenet kings, it was noted for its hempen manufactures and at 

 one period, all the sails and ropes used in the navy were produced in this 

 town It is also an interesting fact that nearly the whole of the cordage 

 and canvas for the fleet fitted out to do battle with the Spanish Armada was 

 made at Bridport. 



The earliest Charter of which any certain memorial remains was granted 

 bv Henry III. in the year 1252. The place was held alternately by the 

 Royalists and the Parliamentarians during the Civil War, and here Charles II. 

 had a narrow escape from Cromwell's troopers. He had ridden over froni 

 Charmouth and halted for a short time at the " George Inn, only to find 

 the yard full of Cromwell's soliders, and he made a hasty escape along the 

 Dorchester Road, turned down Lea Lane (a large stone at this spot conr- 

 memorates the incident), stayed a night at Broadwindsor, returned to Trent, 

 and finally got across the Channel to France in a coasting vessel frona Shore- 

 ham The site of the old " George Inn " is now occupied by Messrs Beach & 

 Co., chemists, and part of the old building still remains. 



The town was surprised and startled one Sunday morning in June, 1685, 

 when ^00 of Monmouth's soldiers made a descent upon it from Lyme Regis, 

 the Duke having landed at the latter place on the ill-fated mission to seize his 

 uncle James II.'s crown. 



Shoe-thread, twine, cordage, sail-cloth and fishing nets still employ many 

 busy hands. Comparatively modern industries, such as the making of 

 excellent butter and jam— commodities exported in large quantities— and a 

 large Brewery, also add to the town's commercial prosperity."^ 



CHIDEOCK AND SEATOWN 



After lunch the Members set out in brakes for Chideock Quarry Hill, 

 The weather was extremely warm, but on top of the hill there was a pleasant 

 breeze, and a magnificent view. 



The Hon. Secretary, Mr L. Richardson, pointed out the features of 

 interest in the landscape, stating that the excursion had been arranged so as 



I. Extracted from The "Borough" Guide to Bridport. 

 D 



