——- 
REPORTS. a3 ¢54 
enough to fill a small thimble, were shown as having been obtained from 3lbs. 
of the rock dissolved. The descent was then made in the wagous as before, 
each going independently by its own gravity controlled by a brake. After a meat 
tea, the club separated, with mutual congratulations on a successful and interesting 
excursion. 
NORTHAMPTON NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY.—The annual business 
meeting was held on the 20th March, J. B. Hensman, Esq., in the chair.—Mr. 
Thomas Bailey, Treasurer, read the balance sheet, from which it appeared that 
after paying all expenses, including rent, binding of books, periodicals, mounting 
of photographs, and repaying balance due to treasurer, there was a balance in 
hand of £8.—The President, (Lord Lilford,) was re-elected, and the Vice-presidents, 
(Rev. S. J. W. Sanders, F.G.S., Rev. G. Nicholson, and William Hull, Esq.,) 
were re-elected, the Rev. William Thornton, F.G.S., being added to the number. 
The committee was re-elected, as were also the sectional officers, the only change 
being Sir Herewald Wake, president, and Mr. W. 8%. Godfrey, secretary of the 
entomological section. The secretaries of excursions are Mr. T. Cordeux and Mr. 
William Barton. The Secretary was re-elected, and then read a digest of the 
society's work during the year:—‘‘ The progress of the Northampton Natural 
History Society during its third year’s existence has been fairly successful. I 
purpose, with your permission, to give a short réswmé of its work. In April, 
after the publication of our last report, the Rev. H. W. Crosskey delivered a lecture 
on ‘ The Glacial Epoch,’ dealing in a vigorous manner with the difficulties of the 
subject, placing clearly before the members the conditions and causes of the 
glacial drift. Owing to the miserably wet weather of May, but one excursion, an 
evening walk from Brampton Station, was made, the pleasure of this being 
marred by the rain coming on, and preventing any work being done. In June, 
on the first fine day, a wagonette full of members proceeded to Cransley and 
Broughton, the first halt being at Rushden, where, by permission of W. 
Clark Thornhill, Esq., the gardens and grounds of Rushden Hall were visited. 
These are interesting to botanists as being the first locality discovered in England 
for truffles, and in Morton’s history the wilderness is stated to be the habitat of the 
fiy orchis, but on this visit neither of the previously-mentioned plants were seen. 
The triangular lodge and other objects of interest having been seen, the company 
proceeded to Rothwell, where the church and bone-crypt were inspected. At 
Foxhall, the botanists were delighted with exploring a piece of bog land, in which 
many plants, new records to Topographical Botany, were found. Lamport was 
made a resting place for tea, after which, by Sir Charles Isham’s permission, the 
party strolled about the gardens of Lamport Hall, the rockery, with its many 
interesting flowers and ferns, being much admired. The photographical section 
obtained views of Rushton Hall, Rothwell Church, &c., which were inserted in 
the album. Evening walks to Hunsbury Hill, Clifford Hill, and Harleston Plain 
Woods took place during June and July. In August a numerously-attended excur- 
sion was a8 to Fotheringhay, where the castle and moat were inspected, Mr. 
Holding reading a paper on ‘ The History of the Collegiate Church of Fothering- 
hay’ in the existing building. A pleasant drive was then enjoyed by Wansford 
to Burghley, the botanists walking from Wittermg to Southorpe, and through 
Burghley Park to the mansion. After the art treasures had been inspected, the 
party visited Stamford, from whence, after tea, the, company made the home 
journey. Specimens of Asperula cynanchica, Gentiana Amarella, Menyanthes 
trifoliata, Epipactis palustris, Schanus nigricans, and many other rare plants - 
were obtained. In September, by the kind invitation of our President, a visit 
was paid to Lilford Hall, and a most enjoyable day was spent in seeing the 
splendid collection of birds, and examining the beauties of the neighbourhood. 
Some of the party visited Barnwell Wold, where the wild pear was gathered, and 
others went to Barnwell Castle and the picturesque village. In the photographic 
album are views of Barnwell Castle, Lilford Hall, and Lilford Bridge. Besides 
these excursions, the photographic section made a few special excursions. The 
Opening meeting of the winter session was held in the Guildhall, Lord Lilford 
presiding, being supported by Sir H. Wake, Rev. William Thornton, and the 
vice-presidents. Lord Lilford gave an address, but confined his attention princi- 
pally to the occurrence of the diurnal raptores, enumerating, among other species 
found in Northants, the golden eagle, the peregrine falcon, &c. Mr. Scriven 
gave the report of the photographic section, and mentioned their intention to 
photograph the remarkable trees of Northants. Mr. A. Perry said that out of the 
