xiii. 



domestic architecture of that period, and bears the date of 1589 on a stone 

 in the central gable over the porch. But considerable additions and 

 modern improvements have been made to the original edifice by the late 

 and the present proprietor. Over the entrance porch is a coat of arms of 

 the Hussey family. The parish church, which was open for inspection, 

 stands in the grounds. It is a very small but picturesque building, 

 showing no very distinctive architectural features, though of great age. 

 Originally a large portion of the interior was occupied by the family vault 

 of the Husseys, to whom the house formerly belonged. Alterations, which 

 were carried out in 1863, removed the vault, and thereby threw open 

 more room for the requirements of the congregation. The situation of 

 Edmondsham House is interesting, standing as it does in its own grounds, 

 laid out with care and judiciously planted, surrounded with the extensive 

 Chase woods of fine oak and beech, with intervening tracts of open downs, 

 associated with the histories of the days when the deer were preserved there 

 and furnished pastime to various English Sovereigns. The geology of the 

 district furnishes a key to the surrounding landscape. The position is near 

 the edge of the Hampshire basin of the Eocene beds of clays and gravels. 

 The admixture of these beds, occurring as they do in contact with the great 

 chalk formation lying to the west and north, produce a variety in the 

 physical features of the neighbourhood, and consequently of the vegetation. 

 On the bright August afternoon when the Society was entertained at 

 Edmondsham House it was looking at its best, and will be remembered as 

 a very pleasant finale to a successful Field day. 



It was now nearly five o'clock, and brakes were in readiness at the front 

 door to convey the party to Verwood Station in time for their respective 

 trains. 



Abbotsbury was the spot arranged for the last Field meeting of the 

 year, on Wednesday, September 15th, and again fine weather favoured the 

 Society, The President, Treasurer, and between 60 and 70 members were 

 present, and were conducted to the various points of interest by Dr. 

 Hawkins, of Abbotsbury, and Mr. George Downie, agent of the Earl of 

 Ilchester, to whose combined and untiring efforts the success of the day 

 was largely due. On assembling at the rendezvous, which was the 

 Ilchester Arms Hotel, the President stated that before beginning the 

 proceedings of the day he wished to express his regret at the death of Mrs. 

 Fox Strangways. Their thoughts were particularly led to that sad event 

 since Lord Ilchester had so kindly opened the gardens and Swannery and 

 other objects of interest to the use and enjoyment of the members, and he 

 thought it was only right that he should, on their behalf, express their 

 regret at the melancholy event. Before starting to explore the grounds 



