12 2 
THE ESSEX NATURALIST. 
expansion of this cushion produces a second out-stroke of the water. The- 
pressure above the latter again falls below that of the atmosphere, with the 
result that a charge of combustible mixture is drawn through automatic 
inlet valves. When the forward momentum of the water is exhausted, 
a second return stroke takes place, which compresses the charge in the 
cylinder ready for another working stroke. The whole of the valves 
are automatic, but are interlocked, so that they can only open in due 
sequence. 
We are indebted to one of the Engineering journals for the above 
technical description. 
From the Pumping Station, an uninteresting walk of id mile across, 
the valley westward into Middlesex brought the visitors to the New River 
at Turkey Street, Enfield, the course of which was followed westward 
to the head of the aqueduct at Maiden’s Brook, and thence along an old 
disused " loop ” which runs through private grounds for several miles. 
This disused loop formed part of the original New River as constructed 
by Sir Elugh Myddelton in 1609-1613. 
At Myddelton House, the residence of our Member, Mr. E. Augustus 
Bowles, M.A., F.L.S., F.E.S., through whose gardens and meadows the 
stream passes, the party was met and welcomed by Mr. Bowles, who kindly 
acted as conductor, showing the visitors his beautiful gardens and their 
horticultural treasures. An interesting feature of the gardens is the old 
stone Enfield market-cross, originally set up in the town market-place 
circa 1826, which, being superseded by a more recent structure, has been 
re-erected in Mr. Bowles' gardens. 
It is impossible here to attempt to enumerate the floral treasures- 
of these famous gardens, which Mr. Bowles exhibited with loving pride : 
an interesting, and not unsuccessful, attempt to reproduce the 
floral display of an alpine meadow, by indiscriminate sowing of showy 
plants in the meadow-grass, is noteworthy, while the adjoining portion 
of the disused New River (known as the Enfield Loop, which was cut off 
over a century ago), was seen to be covered with a most luxuriant growth 
of Azolla filiculoides and its banks lined with Gunnera■ and other exotic 
plants intermixed with the native plants, owing to Mr. Bowles’ enthusi¬ 
astic desire to “ make the wilderness blossom like the rose.” 
Upon taking leave of our host, the hearty thanks of the party were 
accorded to Mr. Bowles for his kindly assistance and welcome. 
The course of the disused New River was still followed westward, 
until at Flash Lane the visitors reached Wildwoods, where the owner, 
Mrs. Cowan, had very kindly offered to entertain the party to afternoon 
tea, which refreshment was indeed most welcome after the long and tiring 
tramp. On the proposition of the Hon. Secretary, a most grateful vote 
of thanks was passed to Mrs. Cowan for her hospitality to tired wayfarers. 
After tea, a circuit of the finely wooded Lake of some 8 acres in the 
picturesque grounds was made under Mrs. Cowan’s guidance, after which, 
taking leave of our kind hostess, the walk (another id mile ! ) to Crews 
Hill station on the Great Northern Railway was entered upon, and the 
7.4 o’clock train for London duly caught. 
