REPORTS OF MEETINGS FOR 1910 159 



he had made with tlie Club, and welcomed their speedy return. 

 In connection with this visit it will be of interest to recoi'd 

 that three of the oldest members taking part in it were 

 contemporaries of the Club, and in their respective spheres 

 are still actively engaged. 



A drive along a Beech-lined road which bounds the estate 

 of Hallrule, and from which could be seen on the North bank 

 of the river the ruins of Fulton Tower, a disabled stronghold 

 of the Turnbulls, brought the party to the entrance of a rough 



carriage-drive leading to Wells, the residence of 

 Wells. Sir Robert Usher, Bart., where some time was 



spent in viewing the mansion lately reconstructed, 

 and the picturesque grounds which have likewise been greatly 

 embellished. The Rule, which flows below the house, has here 

 been converted into a miniature lake which adds charm to 

 the landscape, and its near bank has been ti'ansformed into 

 a rock-garden. The report of the Club's last visit * led to 

 an examination of some of the largest trees in the vicinity 

 of the mansion. Among these may be instanced, in illustration 

 of the fine growth attained by many, a symmetrical Beech 

 (Fagug sylvatica) on the North-East, girthing 15 feet 9 inches 

 at 4| feet. The English Oak was also largely represented, 

 specimens of which were noteworthy for the long and clean 

 character of their bole. A heronry, covering seven or eight 

 acres of an adjoining plantation, affords nesting room for 

 twenty brace. 



Having already exceeded to a considerable extent the time 

 allowed by the official circular, members on leaving Wells at 

 3 p.m. were obliged to forego the visit to Bedrule Castle situated 

 on a rising ground on the opposite bank of the river. The 

 site is all that remains of a place of great strength, the English 



having destroyed it in 1545 along with many 

 Bedrule. other fortified places in the same valley. Of 



Bedrule itself it is said that it belonged in the 

 12th century to Lady Bethoc, who besides giving her name 

 to the lands, gave birth to a line of heroes and heroines, chief 

 among whom were Rudolph, who led the left wing of the 



* Ber. Nat. Club, Vol. xii., p. 72. 



V 



