940 REPORTS. 
OSWESTRY AND WELSHPOOL NATURALISTS’ FIELD CLUB.-— 
The third excursion for 1879 took place on July 31st. Meeting at Selattyn, the 
party took the way by the Tower, and along Otfa’s Dyke to Craignant, and then 
over the hill by Bronygarth to Brookside, where they were most hospitably 
entertained’ by Major Barnes. Some fine specimens of the Frog Orchis 
(Habenaria viridis) were found, and also Sweet Cicely (Myrrhis odorata.) The 
geologists found numerous fossils and fragments of fossils in the blocks of mill- 
stone grit on Selattyn Hill, and in the old limestone quarry at Yr Orsedd, by 
Offa's Dyke, were found some nicely preserved specimens of Lithostrotion minus, 
L. floriforme, Alveolites, and Zaphrentis among the corals, and good specimens 
of Productus Youngianus among the mollusca, together with numerous minute 
fossils, chiefly spines and stems of Encrinites. After tea Mr. D. C. Davies, F.G.5., 
gave a short address on the principal objects of interest observed during the day. 
He explained the order of strata in the Ceiriog Valley, referring particularly to 
the carboniferous limestone and the millstone grit, along which principally the 
excursion had been made. The boulders of Scotch granite, seen on the top of 
Selattyn Hill, were also referred to in connection with the drift deposits. The 
address, which will probably appear in the proposed new volume of the Proceed- 
ings of the Society, concluded with a reference to the increased interest and 
beauty which a general knowledge of geology attaches to the extensive land- 
scapes the excursionists had that day beheld. 
STROUD NATURAL HISTORY AND PHILOSOPHICAL SOCIETY.— 
August 7th, a short excursion was made (twenty-two members and friends 
present.) The meeting place was Frocester Court, where the old Tithe Barn of 
¢he Abbots of Gloucester was examined, and the fine timber work of the roof much 
admired. Mr. Chapman courteously received the visitors and admitted them to 
the Elizabethan Manor-house, built in 1554. Thence the members proceeded to 
Frocester Hill, where, under the President’s guidance, the geologists made 
an examination of the bed of the Lower Oolite, rich in ammonites and belemnites. 
The botanists made search in the wooded slopes, and found some fine beds of 
Polypodium vulgare. The next point of interest was the long tumulus near 
Buckholt, which was uncovered some years siice, exposing the various chambers. 
The construction was explained by Mr. Witchell. The excursionists then had, by 
Mr. Leigh's kind permission, a very pleasant walk through Woodchester Park, 
the beautiful scenery of which was much appreciated; on many of the lakes 
were water lilies in abundance and perfection. The botanists concluded their 
yesearches by an unsuccessful quest for clubmoss in the ferny hills, amidst 
bracken and thistle five feet high. The ramble was followed by tea at Thees- 
combe House, where the members were most hospitably and kindly entertained 
by Mr. and Mrs. Charles Playne. 
WOOLHOPE NATURALISTS’ FIELD CLUB.—July 29th.—The third 
field meeting for the season was at Downton, on which occasion a. goodly 
number of ladies, invited by special tickets, honoured the members with their 
presence. The day being fine, the drive over the beautiful hill of Mary Knoll was 
most enjoyable. Immediately under this hillis the wooded valley of Hay Park, 
where the Earl of Bridgewater’s children lost themselves, and gave occasion to 
Milton to write ‘‘Comus.” At Aston the members inspected the little Norman 
church, the Rev. J. H. Clay, the incumbent,explaining its interesting architectural 
features. At the Hay Mill the party left the carriages and wended their way 
through the beautiful and romantic scenery in the gorge of the river Teme to 
Downton, where many varieties of ferns flourish. On the bridge in front of 
the Castle a halt was made to collect the visitors together. The private grounds 
and conservatories were then visited, and under a wide-spreading beech tree the 
President took the chair, and the business of the club was transacted. The 
President read an interesting paper written by Mr. Timothy Curley on the 
*‘ Monastic Remains Discovered in the Construction of the Ludlow Cattle 
Markets,” for which a cordial vote of thanks was passed. The beautiful grounds 
and the chief rooms in the Castle were kindly thrown open to the members and 
their friends. The return journey was made through Oakley Park (the seat of 
Lord Windsor) to Ludlow, where a meat tea was provided at the Feathers Hotel. 
The Museum ut Ludlow was visited by some of the members, who expressed 
themselves highly gratified by the excellent taste displayed in the arrangement of 
the valuable collection by Mr. Charles Fortey. 
