.32 
EXCURSIONS, 1947. 
marsh were found forms of Carex hirta and C. fiacca with single-flowered 
spikelets. The next stop was made at Bowood, the proposed exploration 
of the Sandy Lane district having to be omitted owing to pressure of 
time. At Bowood the party divided, one group electing to examine the 
borders of the lake, and the other to visit the gardens. Among the 
species seen were : Borippa sijivestris (as a garden weed), Neottia Nidus- 
avis and Acorns Calamus. An excellent tea was provided at the Lans- 
downe Arms, Caine, and the party returned to Marlborough. In the 
evening members met at the Castle and Ball, and with the assistance 
of Mr Wilmott, doubtful specimens were identified. 
Sunday, June 8. 
A start was made in showery weather but conditions improved slightly 
by the time the party reached the downs overlooking the Pewsey Valley. 
This is the highest part of Wiltshire (Milk Hill attains 964 feet), and 
the view across the valley on a clear day is magnificent. To-day, how- 
ever, all we could see were gathering rain-storms. At Walker’s Hill, 
particular attention was given to the Milkworts, and it was found that 
in addition to the abundant P. caJcarea, P. oxyptera was quite common. 
We failed to find Cerastium pumihun which is known to occur, but C. 
tetrandrum and C. semidecandrum, (both rare in Wiltshire) were seen. 
Near 'the pond on the top of Milk Hill Mr Sandwith found Dactylis 
(jlomerata var. collina Schl. which had not previously been recorded for 
the county. In the pond, also, he found Glyceria declinata for which we 
have very few known localities. Both on Walker’s Hill and Milk Hill 
the well-known clownland plants were in perfection. They included ; 
IPippocrepis comosa, Senecio^ mteyrifoliiis, Geniiana anglica, Orchis 
ii.<;tidata and Platanthera hifoUu. 
The party returned to the cars for lunch and then descended to the' 
valley and the Rennet and Avon Canal at Allington. H had been hojied 
to examine the aquatics of the canal, but the weather won the day, and 
we returned to Marlboi’ough in a deluge of rain. In the evening mem- 
bers again met to discuss the day’s s])eciinens. It may be mentioned here 
that these evening meetings seemed to be enjoyed almost as much as the 
field-meetings. 
Monday, June 9. 
Twelve members remained for an extra day excursion. The weather 
was once more favourable and the first locality visited was West Woods, 
south of Marlborough. Here grew T'ir/u .syJvatica, Lothyrus tuhero.sus, 
xGenni- iatermedium. and Colchictim autnmnale. At Overton Heath 
members saw Geranium phannn, thoroughly established at a spot where 
it has been known for 8-5 years. iMartinsell Hill yielded many of the 
species seen on the previous day at Milk Hill. A notewortlu" find by 
Mrs Eichards was Valeriana dioica groAving in one of the dry pit-dwell- 
ings on the side of the hill — a remarkable habitat. 
The Leader wishes to exj)ress bis sincere thanks to Lady Nairne and 
Capt. Spicer for permission to visit their estates ; to Messrs Collett, 
Peskett and Eidout for help as guides; to IMessrs Hubbard, SandAvith 
