2l8 MR. RICHARD ADAMSON'S REPORT OF 



the Clavering and Gibside estates, we followed a road through 

 a copse which proved of great interest to the botanists, as it 

 contained immense growths of digitalis, greater valerian, 

 spotted orchis, red and white campions, betony, wood sage, 

 cow-wheat, water and knotted figworts, marsh bent grass, 

 common reed grass, water whorl grass, wood meadow grass, 

 wood fescue grass and hairy brome grass. 



Going forward through a hayfield we came to Hollingside 

 farm, where we asked permission to visit the old ruins of 

 Hollingside Castle and to ramble in the fields where no 

 damage would be done to the crops. Interest was now 

 centred in the ruins, which were closely inspected by the 

 antiquaries of the party. The history of the castle dates back 

 to 1317, when it was owned by the Hollinside family. It 

 changed hands frequently until it fell into the possession of 

 the Hardings of Newcastle, who owned it until 1730, when it 

 became the property of the Bowes family of Gibside. Its 

 architecture as seen in its present condition shows that in all 

 probability it was erected in the 13th century. From all 

 appearances the castle must have been used as a kind of peel 

 tower for defensive purposes. 



A halt was now made to partake of a substantial home- 

 made luncheon. Immediately afterwards a very swampy field 

 was visited just below the ruins. This was a delightful place 

 botanically, as a great many aquatic plants were growing in 

 great luxuriance. A few of these may be mentioned, as 

 follows : — 



Common Rush, Juncics communis. 



Hard Rush, yuncus glauais. 



Toad Rush, ytmciis btifonius. 



Lesser-jointed Rush, yuncus uliginosus. 



Oval- spiked Sedge, Car ex ovalis. 



Great Sedge, Carex viilpina. 



Tufted Bog Sedge, Carex stricta. 



Slender-leaved Sedge, Carex filiformis 



Common Reed, Aruiido Phragmites. 



Marsh Sow-thistle, Soiichus palustris. 



Marsh Hawkweed, Crepis paludosa. 



