182 EXCURSIONS. 



Mr. Middleton truly said, Mrs. Dent's excellent book on " Sudeley and 

 Winchcombe" leaves nothing that is new to be said on tbe subject, and 

 Mr. Middleton contented bimself with succinctly epitomising the facts 

 there given. Mr. Middleton concluded his paper with the expression 

 of a hope that Mr. and Mrs. Dent might have many yours' happy 

 enjoyment of the works they had so liberally and well carried out, a 

 wish which was heartily endorsed by the visitors. The whole party 

 were then entertained by Mr. and Mrs. Dent at tea, which they found 

 most refreshing and welcome, and after thanking their host and 

 hostess for their kindness, they returned to Winchcombe, and thence 

 to Cheltenham. There was much rain during the day, but the party 

 were fortunate in escaping without a wetting. 



Cowley, Cirencester, and Preston. 



The second excursion, conducted by Mr. Francis Day, F.L.S., was 

 to Preston, near Cirencester, where Mr. H. J. Elwes, F.L.S., had 

 invited a number of gentlemen to inspect his botanical and zoological 

 collections. 



While ascending Windlass Hill, the geological section of Leckhamp- 

 ton, so elaborately described on the previous day by Dr. Wright, was 

 pointed out, but the view was soon obscured by clouds, and then shut 

 out by a heavy downpour of rain. On arriving at the turning leading 

 to the Seven Springs most of the party descended from the carriage to 

 inspect what is commonly known as one of the sources of the Thames. 

 Here the Churn, an affluent of that river, emerges from its rocky 

 source, and meanders among the hills in the form of a pretty and well- 

 stocked trout stream. Having returned to the carriage, the quaint old 

 church of Cubberley was passed, and then Cowley, the seat of Mr. 

 Richardson-Gardner, M.P. ; Colesbourne, the residence of Mr. Elwes, 

 sen. ; and Rendcomb, that of the late Sir F. Goldsmid. Some edible 

 snails were observed in the grass on the banks by the roadside, giving 

 evidence of the success which had attended the introduction of these 

 creatures, deemed by the Romans a luxury, and which have retained 

 their hold on the Cotteswolds long after their legions have passed 

 away. Before reaching Cirencester the presence of the elm, Ulmus 

 campestris, likewise introduced by these people, afforded further 

 evidence of their occupation of this part of the country. 



A little after eleven, Cirencester, the Corinium of the Romans, 

 situated on the Corin, now termed the Colne, was reached. 

 Arriving in the town the fine parish church was passed ; this was re- 

 built between 150-1 and 1522 on the site of a more ancient structure. 

 On the outskirts of the town the remains of the Roman wall were still 

 visible. A drive of rather over a mile brought the carriage to Mr. 

 Elwes's house. Here the party met with a most kind and hospitable 

 reception from their host and hostess, and at once repaired to the garden 

 and greenhouses, where such an extensive and beautiful assortment of 

 plants, collected from all parts of the globe, many being rare species, 

 were found, that a mere enumeration of their nanus would be next to 

 impossible. Now the party separated. Botanists to examine 

 flowers, ornithologists the extensive collection of birds, largely Asiatic, 

 and cabinets of birds' eggs, the proceeds of years of patient toil. 

 Entomologists experienced a treat in inspectingthe moths ami butterflies, 

 and it was pointed out that so similar is the black moth Epicopeia to 

 two India species of Papilio, that should the antenna" lie destroyed it 

 becomes impossible to discern to which the example belongs, whether 

 in short it is a moth or a butterfly. When the time of departuro 

 arrived it was admitted by all that days of examination would be requi- 

 site to do justice to the splendid collections rendered so peculiarly 



