8 



also a gigantic humerus and complete paddle of Pliosaurus grandi* 

 (Owen) from the Kimmeridge clays of Kimmeridge, measuring 

 more than six feet, comprising the ulna, radius, carpel, metacarpal 

 and phalangial bones. 



The party then proceeded to the Eoman Amphitheatre, 

 which is one of the most perfect of the kind in Great Britain. 

 It is elliptical in shape, and occupies about two acres of ground ; 

 there are two entrances, and the seats arranged in ascending 

 tiers, intervened by a terrace about half-way, and terminated by 

 another at the summit. 



The next object was Maiden Castle. This magnificent earth- 

 work differs from the generality of camps, from its ramparts 

 being to a great extent artificial. It occupies an area of a 

 hundred-and-twenty acres ; it is a thousand yards long and five 

 hundred broad. Its southern side rests upon a hill low in 

 gradient and defended by three lines of defence only ; the other 

 sides by five. Its eastern entrance is defended by ramparts over- 

 lapping each other, and a complicated arrangement of artificial 

 defences strengthen its western approach. Although British in 

 origin, there are undoubted proofs that it has undergone con- 

 siderable alterations to adapt it for Roman occupation. 



Poundbury, a Danish earthwork on the west side of the 

 town, was the last object of attention ; it is a parallelogram in 

 shape, with one vallum of defence. During the construction of 

 the railway which exposed its base, several coins (now deposited 

 in the Dorchester Museum) were found. As their dates ranged 

 from Claudius to Constantius, it is obvious the Romans occupied 

 Poundbury as late as the commencement of the third century. 



Having passed in review the leading features of our 

 pleasant, and I hope instructive, meetings during the past year, 

 I pass on first to local and then to more general subjects of 

 interest which relate to objects which also come within the sphere 

 of our work. 



Our County Flora has had several additions made to it 

 during the past year, as well as the confirmation of others 

 depending upon ancient records. I will take first those which 

 have not, until now, been claimed as Dorsetshire plants. Sper- 

 gularia rupestris (Mill), the Rock-rose Sandwort Spwrrey, a sub- 

 species of Spergularia marina (CambassJ, a very rare plant, and 

 only occurring in nine other English counties ; I found it 

 growing among the rocks under Pennsylvania Castle, Portland. 

 Trifolium hybridum (Lin.), AUike Clover, found by Mr. Darell 

 Stephens in a lane at Beerhacket.* Although this plant has a 

 wide geographical range, it can only be recognized as a casual 

 or waif in Britain. It appears, however, to be naturalized at 

 Saffron Waldon, in Essex. Valerianella eriocarpa (Desvj, Hairy- 



* Since found in quantity in a grass meadow at Bradford Abbas. Editor. 



