KEPOETS OF MEETINGS. 
169 
The attendances were large ; and although the number of 
visitors usually present did not permit the members of the 
Section to apply themselves closely to botanical investigation on 
every occasion, yet many valuable observations w^ere recorded. 
It is believed that the popularity of these excursions with the 
public is one evidence of that increasing interest in scientific 
matters which is one of the signs of the times, and which, it may 
be anticipated, will, as a minor result, afford much additional 
support to the Society. 
Subjoined are jottings by the Hon. Secretary of a few of the 
most interesting of these excursions. 
April 10th, 1880. — Present, six members of the Section and 
eight visitors. Took the private road from Beggar’s Bush Lane 
which leads by a farmstead towards the Abbot’s Pond ; turned to 
the left before reaching the latter, and arrived at Failand Farm. 
In a pasture here Daffodils grow in great abundance, and were now 
seen in perfection. This is the only good habitat near Bristol, 
and the party halted to gather the flowers. At this spot the 
spring-flowering form of Colchicum autwnnale, discovered by the 
Secretary in March, was pointed out, being still in blossom here 
and there among the Daffodils. It was observed that in the 
adjoining field, where Colchicum abounded, flowers were entirely 
absent, and that the plants had developed leaves to the extent 
usual at this period, whereas at the spot where flowers occurred 
but fe^v leaves ’were to be, seen, and those just peeping above the 
soil. Close by grew Polygonum Bistorta in plenty, and a little 
beyond the farm some fine plants of Lathrcsa squamaria were 
very w^elcome. Here also Viola Jiirta, V, Reiclienbachiana, and 
Chrysosplenium oppositifolium -were noted. The party now 
turned into the lane running south, and walked a short distance 
in that direction to visit a luxuriant colon}'^ of Hellehorus viridis, 
located in a stony field, which at a remote date may possibly 
have been an orchard. Retracing our steps, a return was made 
