Peacock: Lincolnshire Naturalists at Frieston. 143 



From the two beds we get the following- species : — Oak, 

 Scotch Fir, Yew, Birch, Alder, Beech, and Hazel Nut. From 

 the upper bed only: — Elm (Ulmns mo?itana) y Ash, Holly, Willows 

 (species undetermined), Reed, et hoc genus omne of fen plants. 



We have another means of testing - the age of our forest trees 

 also. The Danes invaded England from 450 to 850 say. In 

 Lincolnshire alone they have left places called after most of the 

 above-named trees, and also the Apple (Pyrus mains), White 

 Thorn (Crataegus oxyacanthoides Thuill.), not the species of our 

 hedgerows (C. monogyna Jacq.), which is a German variety, 

 but the true old English White Thorn, and, lastly, the Elder 

 (Sambucus nigra), I believe, but perhaps the Danewort (S. 

 Ebulns L.); which, I am delig-hted to say, is growing- with us 

 still. In the Oak forests of the old peat Squirrels lived and 

 piled their store of Hazel nuts for winter food, the Bees collected 

 honey from fragrant flowers, and the dug or burnt-out oaken 

 boats, of the ancient Britons or their predecessors, were caulked 

 with mosses which are now growing with us, as the}- hunted 

 the wild fowl or caught the fish which still frequent the marsh 

 waters. Over the whole of the ' Black Land ' which fringes 

 the alluvium, and which indicates the spot where the lower peat 

 bed comes to the surface, hundreds of Oak trees lie buried in 

 the peat along with their ancient flora. After being dug out 

 they are found rotting into slow decay by the borders of arable 

 fields, set up as gate-posts, stack-props, etc., og are used as 

 fuel. 



Shortly before four o'clock the members visited the exceed- 

 ing]}- fine and interesting Priory Church of Frieston, after which 

 they adjourned to the house of the Rev. Canon Staffurth, who 

 most kindly entertained them at tea, which agreeablv relieved 

 the fatigues of the day. After tea Mr. Burton, in the name of 

 all present, cordially thanked Canon and Mrs. Staffurth for their 

 courteous hospitality. 



Before proceeding to the business ordinarily transacted at 

 meetings of the Union, Mr. Burton voiced the general feeling 

 when he moved a sympathetic vote of condolence with Mrs. 

 Cordeaux and her family in their recent bereavement. During 

 the day Mr. Cordeaux's genial presence, stimulative enthusiasm 

 and kindly words had been greatly missed, for it was fresh in 

 the memories of members that when the Union met at Saltfleet, 

 only two months ago, Mr. Cordeaux's observations on the bird- 

 lite of the district added greatly to the interest of that meeting. 

 Mr. Burton said that he wished to utter a few words expressive 

 of real regret and of deep sorrow at the great loss the Union 

 had sustained by the death of their good friend Mr. Cordeaux. 



1900 May 1 



