NATURE NOTES 
198 
Full was the visitors’ admiration of the majestic cedars and of one soaring 
larch that towered over all its neighbours. Down by the small lake, now studded 
with yellow lilies, a pause was made while Mr. Whiting pointed out the cut- 
leaved and common alders, both growing there. Birds were nearly silent, but 
yet most restfully on the ear fell the wood-pigeon’s gently chiding tones. This 
most successful gathering terminated with hearty votes of thanks to Lord Mans- 
field for his kindness in permitting the visit, and to Mr. Whiting for his most 
valuable services as guide. 
FIELD CLUB RAMBLES. 
July 16. — In glorious weather, very warm yet freshened by a south-west 
breeze, a party of nineteen was conducted by Mr. Miihlberg from Woldingham 
Station to Titsey Hill and O.xted. With few exceptions the route was entirely 
along footpaths and woods, vid. Flint Farm. The incomparable panorama of the 
Weald, across to East Grinstead and Crowborough Beacon, from a spot 868 feet 
O.D. near the Government fort, was admired under specially favourable clear 
light, and the ancient Pilgrim Way was followed to Botley Cottage. 
The al fresco strawberry tea was very well served and enlivened by a Japanese 
rat family, bred at the cottage, which sampled the cake, &c. The journey home 
was down the steep chalky lane where Atropa Belladonna was found in flower as 
well as sweet briar, and whilst no rare plants were noticed, all the most 
characteristic species of the Chalk flora were observed. 
July 23. — It was into a district rich in historic memories that Mr. L. Douglas 
Wil-son led close on fifty Selbornians upon this fine afternoon. 
Mounting the steep hill near Chorley Wood Station, you breast the 
Buckinghamshire uplands with their rolling swells of Chalk, a geological 
formation pregnant with interest and instruction as a page of the earth’s past 
history. The drought had disintegrated the road’s surface, so that here it was 
not easy going ; but fortunately the woods and fields were soon gained, and as 
breezes swept along from time to time and so tempered the heat, nothing could 
have been pleasanter than the route followed. 
In the wood there was a sprinkling of foxgloves, though more noticeable were 
large patches of willow herbs, their pink contrasting well with the greenery 
around. Abundant, too, was enchanter’s nightshade {Circaa lutetiana), so-called 
from the use of it by Circe, a sorceress of old Greek story, to change people into 
swine. Ferns, again, were superb. They fringed the path and in places towered 
above the walkers. 
At a convenient spot, whence charming views were disclosed in all directions, 
Mr. Wilson reminded the visitors that they were in the country of the Chiltern 
Hundreds. In former days robbers infested those parts, and an officer known as 
the Steward was appointed to restrain them. The post then would have stood 
for strenuous activity, whereas now it went for nothing, and was merely applied 
for and obtained by a member of Parliament to facilitate his resignation. The 
granting of the Stewardship for this purpose dated from about 1750. 
Near by is a country seat known as The Vache. Some portions of the house 
are admittedly ancient, a point worthy of mention, but the chief interest attaching 
to the estate lies in its past owners. In 1564 Thomas Fleetwood bought it, and 
of his descendants one married Bridget, Oliver Cromwell’s daughter, and the 
other was a signatory of the death -varrant of Charles the First, while both lost 
their estates at the Restoration. A later owner of The Vache was Francis Hare, 
Bishop of Chichester, Chaplain to the great Marlborough, of whose victories at 
Blenheim and Kamillies the Bishop was a witness. Afterwards came Admiral 
Palliser, patron and friend of Captain Cook, the great navigator, to whose 
memory the Admiral erected a monument in the grounds. To see this came 
Queen Emma of the Sandwich Islands, in 1865, when the village band, out of 
compliment to Her sable Majesty, played “ The King of the Cannibal Islands.” 
The Lych-Gate leading to the church at Chalfont St. Giles is extremely 
picturesrpre. It is framed in oak and pas.ses under some half-timbered buildings. 
The church walls are composed of chalk and flints, both, of course, characteristic 
of the locality. From the b.ases of columns in tire south aisle and from other 
indications, the edifice is judged to have been originally of Norman build. It 
