FIELD MEETINGS FOR 1916 219 



Sneeze-wort, Alchillea Ptay-mica. 

 Marsh Bedstravv, Galinin nliginosiim. 

 Rough Horse-tail, Eqiiisetuin hycmalc. 

 Great Horse-tail, Eqnisetiim maximum. 



In crossing an old pasture field, a fine view of the semi- 

 circular curve of the Derwent was obtained, as it flows round 

 Gudgeon's Haugh, as well as a panorama of the huge deposits 

 of boulder clay and glacial drift which form the precipitous 

 declivities of the northern banks of the river. They are seen 

 in section at several places, particularly at the Scar Banks near 

 Winlaton Mill. 



Resuming our walk we soon reached Gibside Wood. We 

 had to wade through immense growths of woodland grasses, 

 mostly 3 to 4 feet in height. These included reed fescue, upright 

 bromus, bent grass, false oat grass, wood melica and tall 

 fescue, the month of July being by far the best time to study 

 the grasses. On our way through the wood, the botanists had 

 opportunities of seeing a great variety of woodland summer 

 flowers, as well as fine specimens of many of our British trees, 

 including ashes, oaks, elms, beeches, pines, larches and limes. 

 Amongst the herbaceous plants, by far the rarest was the 

 Marsh Helleborine, one of the orchid family. It was seen 

 growing close to the footpath in a very damp and shady 

 situation, where the soil consisted of decayed leaf-mould 

 underneath beeches. This plant was in advanced flower bud. 

 On leaving the main road, a footpath, in places over-run 

 with bramble bushes, was followed, until we reached the 

 Monument, which was erected about 1750 as an ornament to 

 the park. 



After a few minutes rest we descended to the old fish pond, 

 which is now choked with a great vareity of aquatic vegetation, 

 much of which is exceedingly interesting to the botanist. 

 The following are a few of the plants : — 



Great Water-plantain, Alisma plantago. 

 Marsh Arrow-grass, Triglochin palustre. 

 Reddish Pond-weed, Potamogeton rufescens. 

 Slender-leaved Pondweed, Potamogeton filiformis. 



