xl 
PROCEEDINGS OF THE 
* 
and there is scarcely another in Hertfordshire that can vie with it 
in beauty, hut the distant prospect from the high ground across the 
pretty Mimram valley is perhaps seen to greater advantage by 
taking the walk in the reverse direction. 
Some time was spent in botanising in Sherrard’s Park "Wood, 
which was looking at its best, the rhododendrons which border the 
green drives in one part of the wood being in full bloom, and the 
ground being gay with wild flowers, the bugle giving it in places 
a rich carpet of blue. 
Between this wood and Hatfield the Ordnance Map shows Hatfield 
Woodhall Woods, but these woods have for some time been dis¬ 
afforested and the ground is now cultivated as open fields. The 
sun was shining brightly, and there was a peculiar oppressive 
feeling in the air premonitory of thunder, and that very night 
Hatfield Woodhall Lodge, which was pointed out on approaching 
Mill Green, was struck by lightning and totally destroyed by fire. 
At Mill Green the Biver Lea was crossed, and, skirting Hatfield 
Park, the members soon arrived at Hatfield, where they had tea 
before leaving by train for their several destinations. 
In the course of the walk about 110 species of plants were 
seen in flower, amongst the most interesting being the spearwort 
(Ranunculus Flammula ), guelder-rose ( Viburnum Opulus ), marsh 
valerian ( Valeriana dioica ), ivy-leaved toadflax (. Linaria Cymbalaria ), 
and twayblade orchis [Listera ovata). The marsh horsetail [JEqui- 
setum palustre ) was seen in fruit near Woodhall Lodge Parm. 
Pield Meeting, 20th June, 1889. 
BAYFOED AND COLE GEEEN. 
Assembling at the Shire Hall, Hertford, the party, under the 
guidance of Mr. B. T. Andrews, passed through All Saints’ 
churchyard into Brickendon Lane, and crossed the fields to 
Bayford. Proceeding then by Bayford Hall Parm into Stocking 
Lane, the party soon arrived at Woolmers Park, the seat of 
Mr. W. H. Wodehouse, and by his permission the fine spring 
in the park was inspected. 
This spring rises from the Chalk in considerable volume into a 
pool, known as Ackley Hole, picturesquely situated in a wood 
about a quarter of a mile from the residence of Mr. Wodehouse, 
and the water flows out of it in a constant and powerful stream, 
augmenting the Eiver Lea. 11 The Duke of Bridgewater, who 
possessed this estate in the latter part of the last century,” Cussans 
states,* “ contemplated conveying this water to London in pipes, 
at his own cost, but was prevented, mainly through the action of 
the Hew Eiver Company, from carrying his design into execution.” 
Continuing their walk through the park and crossing Cole 
Green, the members returned to Hertford by rail from Cole Green 
Station. 
* ‘Hist. Herts, Hertford Hundred,’ p. 105. 
