THE ESSEX FIELD CLUB. 115 
EXCURSION TO AMERSHAM AND CHALFONT ST. GILES, 
BUCKS. (450th MEETING). 
SATURDAY, I9TH JUNE 1915. 
The main object of this field-meeting was to study the Botany of a 
tract of chalk country in the time of orchids and, incidentally, to visit 
several places of literary interest. The conductors were Mr. Robert 
Paulson, F.L.S., and Mr. Percy Thompson. 
Members travelled by a through train from Liverpool Street Station 
(Metropolitan Railway), arriving at Amersham at 11.30 o’clock. 
On leaving Amersham Station, the party walked through the Rectory 
Wood (where earlier in the season the rare crucifer, Dentaria bulbifera, 
covers the ground in abundance) to Amersham town, where the old 17th 
Century Market Hall and Grammar School were admired. 
From Amersham, the party continued by paths uphill to Coleshill (560 
feet above sea level), whence (the day being clear) extensive views were 
obtained, embracing Harrow Church, the Crystal Palace and Windsor 
Castle. Here, in the garden of the Parsonage, by kind permission of the 
Rev. C. Walker, Waller’s Oak, a giant of over 30 feet girth, was inspected. 
The poet Waller (1606-1687) is stated to have been bcrn in the adjacent 
farmhouse, Stock Place, and to have composed his poems while sitting 
beneath the venerable oak, which, even in his day, must have been a large 
tree. 
From Coleshill, the walk was resumed by field-paths, and over open 
chalk downs, and by bye-lanes to Chalfont St. Giles, botanizing en route. 
At Chalfont, an inspection was made of Milton’s Cottage, which was 
occupied by the poet during the Great Plague, from July 1665 onward. 
In it, he finished “ Paradise Lost ” and commenced “ Paradise Regained.” 
The Cottage, the great show-object of the village, is now happily public 
property, vested in trustees, and is used as a local museum, especially for 
exhibits relating to the poet and his time. 
Chalfont Church, which presents many points of architectural interest, 
including a very quaint lych-gate, was also visited. 
Tea was taken at 5 o’clock at the " Merlin’s Cave ” Inn, on the village 
green. In the pleasant meadows immediately behind the inn, a combat 
between Royalists and Roundheads took place during the great Civil 
War. Cannon balls, found imbedded in the roof of the neighbouring 
church, are preserved in Milton’s Cottage. 
Afterwards, a formal Meeting (the 450th), for the proposal and election 
of New Members and other business, was held, when the following new 
members were elected :—Mr. John Seabrook, 56, Durham Road, Manor 
Park, Essex, E., and Mr. Henry Burrows, Hillside, Lawford, Essex. 
From Chalfont, the party walked through the meadows beside the 
Misbourne and by road to Chalfont Road Station ; whence London was 
reached. The total walking distance was about 8£ miles, mostly over 
hilly country. 
VISIT TO THE SOUTH LONDON BOTANICAL INSTITUTE 
AND TO THE CHELSEA PHYSIC GARDEN 
(451st MEETING). 
SATURDAY, 17TH JULY 1915. 
This meeting was planned to afford an opportunity of inspecting 
