264 UEPOKTS OF SOCIETIES. 



cxaiiiiaiug tlio tiiiu paiiitiiit^s of views in Vonii-c, by Caiialetti, and tlic inuiierous 

 interesting family relics, trophies, and curiosities accinnulated by members of 

 the family during the last two or three centuries. In the hall was displayed, for 

 the inspection of the visitors, a tine collectiou of minerals and fossils, containing 

 choice specimens of fossil stems from the coal, fossil shells from the Carbonif- 

 erous Limestone, Greensand, and Tertiary beds, fossil-lishes from Monte Bolca, 

 and fine specimens of schorl, etc. The party then walked through the planta- 

 tions and grounds, collecting by the way specimens of Epijjactis latifolia, and, 

 taking a sweep round a neighbouring elevation — " Hall's Hill " — obtained a fine 

 view over the Northamptonshire ilarlstone escarpment. Hall's Hill, about 

 GOOft. above the sea, is marked as Lower Lias on the Geological Survey map, but 

 some indications led the geologists to believe (as, indeed, is actually the case in 

 another spot, similarly marked, near Farnborough) that it is Upper Lias capped 

 by Inferior Oolite. In few places can finer trees be seen than at Farnborough. 

 The oaks and the ash are magnificent, not only for size but for pictui-esque 

 grandeur, whilst the cedars — three of which, as tradition runs, were planted at 

 the same time as three of those at Warwick Castle, and than which they are 

 thought to be finer — are among the most beautiful of their race. A fine tulip 

 tree (Lir odendron tulipifera) iu full bloom, was by the aid of a pocket 

 clinometer found to be approximately 75 feet iu height. Tea was spread on cue 

 of the lawns (another noted beauty of the place), and that having been 

 partaken of, the President took occasion to convey the best thanks of the Society 

 to Archdeacon and Mrs. Holbech for their most enjoyable daj-. Passing along 

 the '• terrace" — a magnificent walk of smooth, shaven turf, nearly -20 yards broad 

 and half a mile long, and occupying the brow of a bill gently rising to the 

 north (from the openings between the gi-and old trees bordering it views 

 extending to the Malvern Hills are obtained) — and from thence through the 

 park, the party reached their carriages, and taking leave of their kind hosts, 

 reached home after a pleasant drive. September 4th — Monthly Meeting. — 

 Mr. S. Stutterd, Vice-President, iu the chair. The Meteorological Eeport for 

 August by Mr. T. Beesley, F.C.S., was read. Barometer at 32 degi-ees — uaeau 

 height, 'ig-sye; highest on the 10th, 29-998; lowest on the 23rd, 28-82i. Thermometer- 

 mean temperature, 58'6 il'5 below average) ; maximum on the Cth, 76'o ; minimum 

 on the 31st, H'o. Eainfall on sixteen days amounting to 2'26 inches. Thunder 

 and lightning ou the 25th, lightning on the 12th, high winds on 20th, 22nd, and 

 23rd. The Hon. Secretary read a note by Mr. Beesley, on " The ' Eust ' of Wheat 

 [Trichohasis ruhigo-vera) aud its Connection with the 'Barberry Blight'" 

 (CEctcZiu/;;. iJcrbcj-itltsi, which, during the present year, had been found by Mr. 

 Plowright to be different forms of the same fungus. The latter has long been 

 credited by old-fashioued farmers as the cause of rust in wheat, aud Mr. Beesley 

 in speaking on the subject last year had given it as his opinion that there was 

 some reason to believe they were right in their warfare against Barberry bushes 

 in their hedges. Mr. Patey exhibited specimens of and read a note on Linaria 

 repens which he had lately found by the side of the railway, and which was new 

 to the district. This plant, like Linaria minor, Diplotaxis muralis, and Iberis 

 aniara, had probably come to us by spreading along the railway line. Mr. O. V. 

 Aplin exhibited O rch is 2)1/ ramidul is from the district, and specimens of Epix^actis 

 latifolia from Farnborough aud the Chiltern Hills, and drew attention to the 

 fact, as stated by Darwin, of the fertilisation of this species by wasps alone. 

 The Chairman exhibited iu some sea water, Laomeda genicuhi ta (a campanularian 

 polyp), a polyzoou (Menibranipiora sp.), a small nautiloid aunelide > Sxnrorbis 

 coniniunis), and some diatoms, the finest being Pleurosiijma clongatum. Mr. O. 

 V. Aplin, also exhibited a specimen of the Little Auk (Mergidus alle) from 

 Massachusetts Bay, and an egg of the same from Davis' Straits, and made some 

 remarks on the distribution of the species. Mr. F. H. Hood exhibited specimens 

 of the more interesting rocks which had come under his notice during a recent 

 visit to Scotland aud the Orkney and Shetland Islands. Notes descriptive of the 

 specimens, and of the formation of Arthur's Seat and the neighbouring 

 elevations were read. 



