158 
NATURE NOTES 
EXCURSIONS. 
\ 
Saturday, ytine 22. — On this afternoon thirty-five members left Slough in a 
motor char-a-banc provided by tbe Great Western Railway and drove to Stoke 
Poges. Here the churchyard in which Gray wrote his famous elegy was visited, 
and in the church a leper’s window and a fireplace built of Roman bricks, which 
have recently been laid bare, were seen. The party then journeyed to East Burn- 
ham Park at the kind invitation of Mr. and Mrs. Harry J. Veitch, who most 
hospitably entertained the members and their friends to tea, and afterwards 
conducted them over the model dairy and the charming grounds which have 
been most rapidly brought to their present state of perfection. Some members 
took the opportunity of making a flying visit to Burnham Beeches before it was 
time to return to Slough. 
Saturday, yune 29. — West Drayton and Iver. This year the route of this 
always popular ramble was somewhat altered, and instead of the start being made 
alongside the G.W.R. bank, members and their friends, under the leadership of 
Mr. Wilfred Mark Webb, walked to the pretty village of Iver along the road. 
Iver Church, with its many objects of interest, was, as in previous years, much 
admired. The quaint and gruesome memorial in the chancel depicting the 
unfortunate lady who was nearly buried alive in 1631, the old stairs which 
formerly led into the rood-loft, the Norman font of Purbeck marble, and an old 
stone coffin, were pointed out by the verger. Several members of the party 
climbed the belfry tower, and were rewarded at the top by a magnificent view. 
On the way down, Mr. William Lawrence gave a very interesting demonstration 
on bell ringing. After leaving Iver village rain began to fall heavily, so that 
most of the beautiful walk through the meadows by the side of the River Colne 
had to be abandoned. No fishing for mollusca and very little hunting of any kind 
was possible, and everyone hurried to the Thorney Weir Fishery Club, where tea 
was provided. Although the weather was enough to damp the spirits (not to 
mention the clothes) of the most enthusiastic, it did not affect the geniality and 
energy of the guide ; and the country, even seen through a downpour of rain, was 
very beautiful. Wild flowers were plentiful — yellow iris, forget-me-not and wild 
rose being particularly striking. Among land snails were found the amber 
snail (Succinea elegans) and Helicigona arbustorum, characterised by a single 
brown band. 
Saturday, yu/y 6. — Even a most welcome change in the weather did not 
tempt more than eight Selbornians to meet Mr. W. Percival Westell, F.L.S., 
M.B.O. U., at Watford Station. Those present, however, much enjoyed the 
visit to Cassiobury Gardens under the able guidance of the head gardener and by 
kind permission of Mrs. Peel. The gardens were looking delightfully fresh after 
the rains, and special mention must be made of a most handsome Tulip tree in 
full blossom. The magnificence of the Firs and Cedars at Cassiobury was freely 
commented upon by the Selbornians and much admired, whilst a Magnolia, some 
fine bulrushes growing round a fountain in the grounds, a sundial composed of 
box plants and some young frogs just finishing their tadpole stage, all attracted 
attention. The Garden Warbler and Spotted Flycatcher were both located, and 
a Cuckoo, mobbed by several Thrushes, swiftly careered across one of the lawns. 
After a hearty vote of thanks had been conveyed to Mrs. Peel and to Mr. Dean 
(the gardener) by Mr. Westell, the Selbornians made their way across Cassiobury 
Park, passing over the River Gade and the Bridgewater Canal and eventually 
reaching Whippendale Wood. Mention should be made of the dense masses of 
Dogwood and Elder Blossom, of the singing of the Chiff Chafl' and the harsh 
scream of the Jays, and of the Balsam {Impatiens parviflora) which was found in 
great quantity on the Cassiobury estate. The Orange Babsam {Impaticus fulva) 
also grows within a short distance of its relative. Tea was taken at the keeper’s 
cottage and the keeper’s vermin pole was inspected. -\fter tea a most enjoyable 
evening’s walk was taken through a beech wood where the Bulbiferous Coral 
Root (Dentaria biilbifeia) grows in profusion, along green lanes and across 
Cassiobury Park to Watford Station. 
