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of the soldiers who were slain in the siege of the Abbey House, 

 October, 1644. Turning for a brief space to other matters, I would 

 mention for the interest of your Natural History Section that the 

 badger is still occasionally found within our borders, as the otter is 

 over the hill. Many species of wild fowl visit the swanery in winter, 

 and the wild swan sometimes joins its twelve hundred congeners on 

 the Fleet. 



Our immediate neighbourhood is not so highly favoured, 

 botanically, as some places are, notwithstanding there is enough to 

 interest the collector. I may instance the Henbane as a plant that 

 was abundant here twenty years ago, but has been almost extirpated 

 by the agriculturists. The Elecampane (Inula Helenium) grows 

 freely both at Gorwell and Ashley. And now, dear Professor 

 Buckman, I close these hasty lucubrations with the expression of a 

 hope that we shall some day see our friends of the Field Club again 

 at Abbotsbury, possibly (if all is true one hears) by railway ! though 

 for my own part I say, " absit omen? 



Whether or not we meet each other in this changing world, I trust 

 that we shall enjoy a happy re-union, through mercy, by and by 

 " in fairer scenes than these." 



Ever yours, 



G. H. P. 



Abbotsbury, January, 1877. 



