REPORT OF FIELD MEETINGS 1 57 



finch, Common Wren, Willow Wren, Chiff-chaff, Whitethroat, 

 Robin, Long-tailed Tit, and Blue Tit. 



On the termination of this enjoyable woodland walk, a halt 

 was made to partake of refreshments of home providence. 

 Afterwards a start was made for the old ruins of Lanercost 

 Priory, in view some little distance to the north, beyond the 

 river Irthing. The more venturesome and resolute crossed by 

 the stepping-stones — a rather dangerous and haphazard pro- 

 ceeding, as the river was in flood and running in swift currents, 

 owing to the recent heavy rains. The others, and I was 

 amongst these, followed the south bank of the river as far as 

 Lanercost where the bridge was crossed. On a spacious piece 

 of waste land close to the north end of the bridge the follow- 

 ing wild flowers were gathered : — Tower Cress, Dyer's Rocket, 

 Dove's-foot Geranium, Mellilot, Goat's Beard, Oxeye Daisy, 

 Ivy-leaved Toadflax, Garlic Mustard, Geum and Cranesbill. 

 The Wall-Rue Fern was growing very profusely on the wall 

 near the place where the above-mentioned flowers were grow- 

 ing. There was a re-union of the party at the Priory, where 

 a considerable time was spent in inspecting the ruins of the 

 tower, transepts, and chancel. The Wallflower was seen in 

 its natural state in full bloom. A portion of the Priory has 

 been restored and is used as a parish church. In building 

 the Priory the mason-monks seem to have drawn largely on 

 the Roman Wall in the near neighbourhood for material, as 

 the stones of red and grey freestone, in some portions of the 

 old ruins, do not appear to have been designed for the purpose 

 they now fulfil. The trees, chiefly large Sycamores, growing 

 in the grounds give the Priory a very pleasing and picturesque 

 effect. After leaving the Priory by the fine old Norman gate- 

 way, the majority of the party climbed the banky road, going 

 eastward in the direction of Coombe Crag — a distance of two 

 miles or so away. By persevering under a hot sun we came 

 to Pike's Hill, where a halt was made to view the landscapes 

 and surrounding country from this point of eminence. The 

 distant Solway was seen very clearly as well as several 

 summits on the Cumbrian mountains, and nearer we had a 



