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Report of the Banstead Field Meeting, June i6th, 1900. 



By Robert Adkin. Read Jinte 28///. 



One of the objects with which field meetings are held, and perhaps 

 not one of the least of them, is to introduce members to little-known 

 districts with a view to the investigation of their fauna and flora. 

 It was therefore thought that the country opened up by the recently 

 constructed Chipstead Valley Railway would form a suitable locality 

 for holding the third field meeting of the season. The particular 

 district selected is situated wholly on the lower undulating chalk 

 downs of Surrey, well wooded in parts, in others comparatively bare 

 of any large vegetation. And as the route that it was proposed to take 

 consisted largely of byways and indifferently indicated footpaths, 

 it was thought desirable that those attending the meeting should 

 have some sort of a plan of the district, to which they might refer 

 in case of missing the main party at any of the numerous turns 

 of the road. This was adequately supplied in the form of a well- 

 executed map very kindly prepared by Mr. B. W. Adkin, in which 

 the route to be taken was clearly traced, and the chief features of 

 the adjacent country and roads and footpaths abutting on the route 

 fully indicated. A copy was supplied to each of those present, and 

 it is believed that it was found useful by many during the meeting 

 and it is hoped that it may be none the less so should any of them 

 again visit the locality with a view to further individual investigation 

 of its resources. 



The party assembled at Cannon Street station (S.E.R.) to the 

 number of twenty-two, and proceeded by the 3.20 train, in which 

 accommodation had been reserved, to Chipstead station. It is 

 feared that some two or three members may have suffered slight 

 inconvenience, in that accommodation was not reserved for them, 

 and that they were unable to avail themselves of the reduction in fare 

 obtained by the others, and this is greatly to be regretted. As, 

 however, these benefits could be obtained only by previous arrange- 

 ment with the railway company for a party of a definite number, 

 it was impossible to include those members who had not signified 

 their intention of being present until their arrival at the station a few 

 minutes before the departure of the train. 



On aHghting from the train at Chipstead the party was joined by 

 three other members, and a start was at once made by way of a 

 footpath which crosses the line at the end of the platform, and leads 

 between a small wood and the station approach to the road. Here 

 " first blood was drawn," one of the company securing a fine 

 specimen of FTadcna genistce from a post and rail fence on which 



