368 WOODRUFFE-PEACOCK : NATURALISTS AT GREAT COTES. 



party under the guidance of Mr. Cordeaux took by far the pleasanter 

 route. True, as before mentioned, some of the ground was 

 boggy, and needed careful stepping, but so slight a suggestion of 

 difficulty served only to spice the outing. The specimens collected 

 were numerous, but none were very uncommon, and it was difficult 

 or impossible to surprise the host, Mr. Cordeaux, with a find of any 

 kind, so thoroughly familiar is he with the flora and fauna of the 

 district and the county. His party wandered on in straggling 

 groups round the Freshney over the Great Cotes road to the 

 plantations beyond, where the blow-wells came in for a large share 

 of attention. There are many examples in the district traversed, 

 and Mr. Cordeaux explained that the blow-hole in the centre of 

 each is often from 60 to 70 feet deep ; the water, which comes up 

 from the chalk, maintains an even temperature and never freezes. 

 Two Herons were seen fishing in the stream, and one kindly disposed 

 gentleman seemed quite to regret the fact that they were disturbed 

 by the approach of the party. Mr. Cordeaux pointed out several 

 spots which he said were resorts of Wild Ducks and Snipe in winter, 

 and also a willow plantation which he described as a familiar haunt 

 of the Reed-warbler, the Sedge-warbler and the Grass hopper- warbler. 

 Not far away from this place were two Sweet-scented Willow-trees 

 (Salix pentandra), the leaves of which when rubbed have an aromatic 

 smell ; and he also indicated a part of the stream in which he had 

 found bones of the wolf, the wild deer, the red deer, and of several 

 other species. Of plants the perforated St. John's Wort (Hypericum 

 perforatum), Water Plantain {Alts ma plantago) and Mare's-tail 

 (Hippuris vulgaris), were abundant ; and in the bogs the following 

 were found : — Hemp Agrimony (Eupatorium cannabinum) ; Musk 

 Mallow (Malva mosckata), the flowers of which were uncommonly 

 pale; Leontodon autumnalis) Grass of Parnassus (Parnassia palustris), 

 a very elegant plant and a good record \ Buckbean (Menyanthes 

 trijoliata), leaves only; Purple Loosestrife (Lythrum salicaria) ; 

 Marsh Ragwort (Senerio aquatiais) ; Yellow Loosestrife (Lysimachia 

 vulgaris) ; Marsh Red Rattle (Pedicularis palustris), leaves only ; 

 and Yellow Iris (Iris pseudacorus), fruit only. It is said that the 

 roasted seeds of the last-named may be used as a substitute for 

 coffee. On the walls of Great Cotes Church were Parietaria 

 officinalis and Asplenium mta-muraria. Full lists of plants observed 

 were received from Messrs. J. S. Sneath and G. A. Grierson. 



\mong the first finds were some typical and commonly 



distributed species of fungi, such as Stropharia semiglobata and 



S. mruginosa. The latter has a bluish or greenish slime on 

 its cap, but as this slime is liable to be washed off by rain 



Naturally 



