178 
NATURE NOTES 
FIELD CLUB RAMBLES. 
July 15. — For several years past a ramble has been made every season to 
West Drayton and Iver during July. On this occasion much the same route 
as usual was taken to begin with, namely, by the side of the Great Western 
Railway and along the banks of the Colne by the kind permission of the 
Thorney Weir Fishery Club. A halt was made at Iver Water Splash, which is 
one of the prettiest spots near London. 
In the village of Iver the church was visited and a number of the party 
climbed the tower, in which on the way down Mr. William Lawrence gave a 
demonstration on the ringing of bells, showing how the bell is swung into 
position with its mouth upwards, as is done in real ringing. In foreign countries 
the bell is chimed or struck while at rest, and bell-ringing, as we know it, is a 
peculiarly English art practised only in these islands and in the colonies. By 
the very kind invitation of the Rev. Walter Gilliat, tea, provided by the 
landlord of the “ Swan,” was taken in the charming garden of the Vicarage. 
Here Mr. George Nicholson, many years Curator of the Royal Gardens, Kew, 
pointed out the hnest specimen of the “Weeping white lime” (Tilia peliolaris) 
that he had ever seen. The plant was originally described from a garden at 
Odessa ; but where it originally came from is unknown. The specimen at Iver 
Vicarage is quite seventy-five feet high. 
The return journey was made through the fields and down the left bank of 
the Colne. A number of interesting plants were, as usual, found. The follow- 
ing birds’ nests were discovered, containing eggs or young ; hedge sparrow, 
wren, greenfinch, swallow, fly-catcher, thrush, and skylark, by Mr. R. II. 
Read, who accompanied the party. 
Fresh-water sponges were seen in the same place as last year, but were very 
small. Shortly after the ramble last year Mr. Webb procured a piece measuring 
fourteen inches across, which is now in the Natural History Museum, South 
Kensington. The Honorary Secretary, Mr. Wilfred Mark Webb, acted as guide, 
and a special vote of thanks was accorded to the Rev. Walter Gilliat for the use 
of his garden. 
July 22. — In glorious summer weather twenty-five Members and friends met 
at Weybridge. By kind permission of Mrs. Greet, the present owner, we were 
privileged to go over the interesting garden planted by Dr. Lionel Beale. Cut 
out of a wood and protected on all sides by tall pines, here grow exotic palms and 
bamboos and a great variety of ferns and other plants. After voting cordial 
thanks to our hostess, we went on to Oatlands Park, where is to be seen one 
of the earliest of the cedars brought from Lebanon to this country, and 
planted about 1640 by Prince Henry of Otlandes, youngest son of King Charles 
the Martyr. The park and house of Oatlands have an interesting history, which 
was recounted by our leader. Dr. Henry Willson. The original building was 
erected by King Henry VHI. for the reception of Anne of Cleves. This 
unfortunate lady never entered the palace, which, after being the abode of Tudor 
and Stuart sovereigns, was sold during the Commonwealth and razed to the 
ground, the contents having been sold by auction, and many of the trees used lor 
the Navy. The sole remains of this palace are a subterranean passage and the 
old garden walls. Later on the present house was built, which some fifty years 
ago was turned into an hotel. Ferrying across the river to Shepperton Lock, tea 
was enjoyed in the open air. Then the party broke up, some going on the water, 
some strolling along the river-bank, gathering flowers, and others visiting Shep- 
perton village and church. 
July 29. — Favoured by cool breezes tempering the bright sunshine, over 
thirty Members assembled at Coulsdon and proceeded to Farthing Downs. 
There are few spots near London where such profusion of flowers is to be found 
as on the sheltered slopes of these chalky uplands. Leaving the Downs and 
passing along the ancient Stane .Street, we soon reached the interesting church of 
Chaldon. This parish is almost uni(]ue in that it contains no shops and no public 
house, and until some fifty years ago there were no roads connecting it with the 
outside world, nothing but tracks across the surrounding downs and commons. 
The name of Chaldon occurs in Domesday Book with the spelling Chalvedune, 
and appears to signify Calf Down. The church dates from about the year 8co 
