NATURAL HISTORY NOTES 
219 
Honorary Secretary (at Odstock, Hanwell, London, W. ), on or before December 
20, by any pupil of a secondary school in the London Postal District, or in any 
locality where there is a Branch or Junior Branch of the Society. 
Prospectus. — Copies of the new edition of the illustrated prospectus can 
be obtained from the Honorary General Secretary, or from local Honorary Secre- 
taries. Members are invited to distribute them among their friends. 
EXCURSIONS. 
Saturday, September 15. — On this day fifteen members and their friends went 
to Kempsing, and walked thence, under the leadership of Dr. A. C. Hinton, 
through Seale Chart, a well wooded piece of common land where Mr. Harrison 
kindly pointed out a splendid view of the Weald, at an altitude of about five 
hundred feet above sea level. After examining an adjoining sandpit the party 
made its way, by road, to Ightham Mote. This is the finest specimen of a 
moated house in the south of England, and is not unlike its neighbour, Hever 
Castle, in its general outlines. The old Hall and Chapel are still perfect. It 
belonged, in the reign of Henry II., to Ivo de Haut, and in 1478 to Richard de 
Haut. It was next held for some time by the Cawne family, and the oldest 
portions existing were probably built by Sir Thomas Cawne. In 1485 it was 
restored to the de Hauts by Henry VII., and in 1521 was purchased by Sir 
Richard Clement of Milton, who in turn disposed of it in 1544 to Sir John Allen, 
and his descendant, Charles Allen, sold it, at the end of Queen Elizabeth’s 
reign, to Sir William Selby. Several fine monuments with effigies of the Selby 
family are now to be seen in Ightham Church. After tea at “The George and 
Dragon,” a visit was paid to Mr. Harrison’s Museum, where the owner showed 
his collection of flint implements, including many fine specimens from “ Oldbury 
Hill,” an ancient British settlement in the close vicinity, also the teeth of Elephas 
primigenius and E. antiquus, from the pleistocene gravel beds. The eoliths 
received much attention, and would have afforded material for many hours of 
examination and argument if these could have been spared. The return journey 
was made from Wrotham Station. 
Saturday, September 22. — Attracted by the beauties of the district and the 
well known ability of the guide, twenty-seven members and friends assembled at 
Woldingham Station. Proceeding up the long hill above Marden Park, some of 
fhe famous Shire horses bred by Mr. Greenwell were seen. At the top of the 
hill a halt was called while Mr. C. M. Miilhberg pointed out the various objects of 
interest in the extensive view obtained from this point. The view comprises the 
large tract of country from the Crystal Palace in the north, to East Grinstead in 
the south, Sevenoaks in the east, and Ashdown Forest in the west, while the 
North Weald stretches across the picture. The party then visited Woldingham 
Church, said to be the smallest and highest in Surrey ; here Mr. Miilhberg drew 
attention to the curious inscription on the tombstone of a famous fraudulent bank- 
rupt of the date of 1892. “ Charity covereth a multitude of sins.” Proceeding 
hence through country lanes between hedges covered with blackberries and the 
ruddy fruit of the black bryony, the party was frequently afforded broad views 
of the hills and valleys so typical of this part of Surrey. After tea in the open 
air at Botley Cottage, the members proceeded to Oxted Station ; it was in this 
part of the walk that the chief botanical find of the day was made, in the shape of 
several clumps of deadly nightshade ( Atropa belladonna), well covered with 
the glossy black berries which have such a fatal attraction for children, on 
account of their resemblance to cherries. This is the most dangerous of Britain’s 
poisonous plants, but fortunately it is by no means common. A rose-bush was 
also noticed covered with the curious growths commonly called “robin’s pin- 
cushions,” several occurring on each twig. At the conclusion of the walk a 
hearty vote of thanks was passed to Mr. Miihlberg on the proposition of the 
Honorary Secretary (Mr. Webb), seconded by the Excursions Secretary (Mr. 
Poole). 
Saturday, September 29. — On the occasion of this, the last ramble of the 
summer session, the weather in town during the morning was so foggy and 
unpromising, that only seven members assembled at Rickmansworth. These 
