26 Report of Meetings for 1887. By J. Harcty. 



sated research. The trees were chiefly Hazel, Oak, Elm and 

 Ash, with a sprinkling of Bird Cherry. The plants were Myosotis 

 sylvatica, Veronica Montana, Rumex viridis, Carex sylvatica, C. hirta 

 (in sand by river side), Ajuga reptuns, Lysimachia nemorum, Sani- 

 cula Europcea, Scrophuiaria nodosa, with its parasitic beetle, Prim- 

 roses, Hypericum hirsutum, Circea lutetiana, Geum urbanum et rivale, 

 Wood-ruff, Dog-violet, Oxalis acetosella, Stellaria holostea, Ger- 

 anium sylvaticum, Epipactis latifolia. The Tooth-wort, which 

 requires a special search, was not visible. As we proceeded, 

 several Wood Wrens were heard calling from the tall trees, and 

 the omnipresent Willow Wren poured out its mellifluous lay. 

 The cliffs of sandstone on the south bank arose to an imposing 

 height, finely clothed with wood issuing from the fissures or 

 growing from the ledges, and there were many wide-spreading 

 trees by the river. But before reaching the best display of 

 mingled rock and sylvan adornment, we came out on a green 

 elevation and grass pasture, where we gathered Habenaria viridis, 

 Gymnadenia conopsea, Orchis maculata, and pnlmata, Linum catharcti- 

 cum, Lychnis ft os-cuculi, Briza media, Euphrasia officinalis, Fragaria 

 vesca, Mentha arvensis ; and farther on Agrimonia Eupatorium, a 

 luxuriant form ; and Valeriana officinalis. Boletus luridus was 

 picked up. We now struck the paved road that conducts to the 

 dry platform, where the conjectural "Roman villa" stood, but 

 more probably some medieval grange, or other building con- 

 ducive to the convenience of the Priory. It led to the bridge 

 that had once crossed the river here obliquely. The foundation 

 of the middle pillar is obvious among the shelving sandstones of 

 the bottom. Several hewn stones, picked, one would say in 

 Roman fashion, although this is not an indubitable index, were 

 strewed about. The river during floods, is encroaching on the 

 banks, and laying bare the foundations of the land-stools. 

 Several ornamental half-wild plants grew on some ruinous 

 buildings and stables nearer the Priory: e.g. Linaria cym- 

 balaria, Viper's Bugloss, Verbascum Thapsus ; and as natives 

 Asplenium Trichomonas, and Hieracium vulgatum. The house and 

 Priory, in a charming situation, amidst a green shaven lawn, with 

 the river wending round and a wooded height in front, revealed 

 themselves suddenly, as if a veil had been uplifted. They are 

 beyond all praise. The steep wooded banks declined, and shewed 

 a sub-conical grassy hillock on the opposite side of the peninsula 

 and the river, connecting itself behind with adjacent green 



