188 MIDLAND UNION OP NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETIES. 
After leaving Oldbury, with hearty thanks to Mr. and Mrs. Cox 
for their kind reception, the party drove to Bentley Park, along the 
Bidge Lane. While driving through the park they found in a pool, 
not far from the keeper’s cottage, a large quantity of Sphagnum 
fimbriatum (several square yards of it) in abundant fruit, as well as a 
barren state of S. cymbifolium. Then, as time pressed, they pushed 
on rapidly to Merevale Park, through which they drove, by kind 
permission of Mrs. Dugdale, paying a visit on the way to the 
beautifully-situated Merevale Lake, when a short time was devoted 
to dredging. They then drove back along the Watling Street to 
Nuneation, via Caldecote, and after a well-earned tea returned to 
Birmingham with the Geological Section. 
Archaeological Excursion. 
The Archaeological Section proceeded by train to Coventry, 
arriving there at 10 80. Mr. Fretton (who was well known to some 
of the visitors) met the party at the station and conducted the 
members to Clieylesmore, pointing out all that remains of the 
manor house, and drew attention to the steeple of the Grey Friars’ 
Church, the only remnant of that monastery, to which Christ 
Church was attached about sixty years ago. Ford’s Hospital was 
next visited, a fine specimen of half-timbered work, founded in 1529 
by a merchant of Coventry as an almshouse for aged poor persons, 
and which is still occupied for the same purpose. On arriving in 
the High Street, the effigy of “ Peeping Tom ” was pointed out, 
and after a call at the hotel, St. Mary’s Hall was reached ; the 
north end was under repair, but the great hall, kitchen, and crypt 
were in turn explored and fully descanted upon, and the contents 
of the latter described, the “ Knaves’ Post” and stocks attracting 
most attention. St. Michael’s Church was next visited, and its 
leading features pointed out, the extent of its earlier church 
described and the various chapels notified. The prevailing style is 
perpendicular, the choir and tower being the earliest of that style ; 
the south porch is early English, and the south aisle decorated. 
Mr. Fretton also pointed out indications of the Norman, of which 
there are a few traces. The fine lantern tower was especially 
admired. Holy Trinity Church was the next point of attraction, 
August, 1893. 
