Country Rambles. 



sylvan part by the somewhat odd title of "Hanging- 

 banks Wood." The phrase is designed, it would seem, to 

 convey an idea analogous to that involved in the name 

 of the famous " Hanging -gardens " of ancient Babylon, 

 signifying terraces of wood and blossom disposed in 

 parallel order upon some gentle slope. This is the part 

 of the Bollin valley referred to in an early chapter (p. 27) 

 as the asylum, it is to be hoped indefinitely, of the 

 primrose. Here, too, Ophelia's "long-purples" live again, 

 while under the shadow of the trees we descry her 

 "nettles," those beautiful golden yellow ones that do not 

 sting, and which blend so perfectly with the orchis and 

 the crow-flower. One fears almost to descend to the 

 edge of the stream, for willows are there that grow 

 "aslant," and that have "envious slivers" as of old. 

 Once in these lovely meadows it is easy to find the way 

 into the lower Bollin valley, and thence to Ashley and 

 Bowdon. But the double walk is rather long, and 

 prudence says return to Wilmslow. Norcliffe and 

 Oversley, it should be added, are reached as regards 

 carriage-way, by a nearly straight road from Handforth. 



Lindow Common, famed from time immemorial for its 

 bracing air, extends from Wilmslow to Brook Lane. 

 There is nothing particular to be seen upon it, except by 

 the naturalist, who, in one part or another, finds abun- 

 dance to give him pleasure. The locality is remarkable 

 alike for its sundews and the profusion of wild bees; it 

 is one of the best known to entomologists for the class 

 Andrenidae. 



