376 REV. J. M. HICK'S REPORT OF 



Noticeable so late in the season was the growth of the cam- 

 pion, scabious, mallow, and ragwort ; also beds of campanula, 

 angelica, and great valerian. In all about 28 species of wild 

 flowers were noted. In the pools numbers of trout were dart- 

 ing hither and thither. The approach of autumn was already 

 making itself known by the changing colours of the trees. 

 The effects of the cold wet summer were very visible in the 

 withered leaves, which seemed about to fall without taking on 

 the many hues of the average autumn. Many fine oaks and 

 larches were noticed. Not many birds were noticed ; among 

 those seen were the heron, herring gulls, wild duck, kestrel, 

 blackcap, cole tit, pied and grey wagtail, and hooded crow. 

 The rooks and jackdaws were vociferously soaring in the 

 evening above their nesting places. A visit was paid to the old 

 parish church, which shewed signs of careful attention. We 

 all admired the old oak pews and chancel screen. After 

 leaving the church, we were, by kind permission of Viscount 

 Boyne, shown over the castle by the housekeeper. The 

 armour and pictures were viewed with much interest ; indeed 

 so much interested were all in the castle and grounds that the 

 latter part of our programme, namely a visit to Binchester 

 (Vinovium castra) with its Roman camp on the site of an 

 ancient British camp, had to be postponed to a future occasion. 

 Walking through the Park, where the fallow deer lent a 

 picturesqueness to the view— I forgot to mention a newly 

 constructed rock garden below the Castle, in which we were 

 much interested — we crossed the Wear by Pagebank, past the 

 Deer Park of Whitworth to Whitworth Vicarage, where Mrs. 

 Hick and I were pleased to be able to offer refreshments. 

 After a welcome rest and a stroll in the Vicarage grounds, a 

 return was made to Brancepeth. 



The following flowers were found in bloom : 



Lychnis diurna Red Campion 



Malva moschata Musk Mallow 



Geranium sylvaticum Wood Geranium 



Geranium Robertianum Herb Robert 



Potentilla tormentilla Tormentil 



