The Rev. J. S. Crook, Vicar of Weobley, informs me he is unable to find the name of Clarke in the Registers at this period. This concludes the Herefordshire list so far as known to me at present. I shall esteem it a favour if any lady or gentleman will communicate particulars of any tokens not mentioned, or furnish complete descriptions of such as are imperfectly described in this paper. Woolhope Naturalists' Field AUGUST 25TH, 1884. ROSS, FOR THE BRITISH CAMP ON LITTLE THE intense heat of the last few weeks, was, happily, mitigated on Monday last, when the Woolhope Club made an excursion to explore the British Camp on the Little Doward Hill. At the Barrs Court Station the members and visitors of the Malvern Naturalists' Field Club were welcomed. On arrival at Ross, the church, churchyard, and the "Prospect" were, as now they ever must be, the first objects to attract the attention of visitors. John Kyrle, "the Man of Ross," whom Pope has rendered so celebrated in his Moral Essay, can never be forgotten at Ross; and he "deserves to be celebrated," says Warton, "beyond the heroes of Pindar, for he was the Howard of his age." The Churchyard Elms are believed to have been planted by "the Man of Ross." Some think he planted these trees on the restoration of the monarchy when Charles II. was crowned (1660), and it is the fact that loyalty frequently took the form of elm-tree planting at that time. They are, however, more generally thought to have been planted about the year 1700. There is an archway in the "Prospect" bearing that date, and this would still be about 24 years before Kyrle's death. The Woolhope Club took a special note of these trees in 1868, and Mr. Henry Southall has now again had them all very accurately measured at five feet from the ground, that the growth of 16 years might be ascertained. There are but a dozen trees left, of the many which Kyrle planted; and beginning opposite the Rectory and going regularly round, the trees measured in Thus, while the average circumference in 1868 was 12 ft. 9 in., in 1884 it had increased to 13 ft. 6 in., giving the average increase of 9 inches to each tree during the sixteen years. There is a noble avenue of elm trees at Hill Court, two miles from Ross, of which the Woolhope Club has the measurements in its Transactions. They are also believed to have been planted about the year 1700. Captain Kingsmill Manley Power has kindly sent the measurement of half-a-dozen of the finest trees at the present time, to compare with those taken before. They are as follows: The increase on the last two trees is so great for their ages that it is just possible that there may be some clerical error in the former account given of them. The roughness of the bark in elm trees, and their liability to the growth of lumps or excresences make it difficult to make the measurements accurate to an inch or two. The members who visited the church itself found that the two young elms in the church (see Transactions of 1878, with the illustration facing page 115), which had sprung up in the pew where, it is said, Kyrle was accustomed to sit, were dead. They died in 1882, and the poor dead sticks, which are still treasured, had a little greenery given to them by Virginian creepers growing from a box beneath. If a suggestion to the powers that be may be allowed, it is that a well-grown ivy plant, of a narrow-leaved variety should be procured and carefully trained up each tree. The ivy would not only be a more appropriate plant, neater and prettier in growth, but it would also be evergreen. The hardy perennial flower garden of Mr. Henry Southall, at the Graig, was next visited by all who attended the meeting. This garden is so well arranged, so carefully tended, and has so great a variety of interesting plants growing in it that it afforded much pleasure. It is only possible to give a very brief account of the masses of blossom to be seen there at this time, of very uncommon plants. Of the showy Rudbeckias there were five varieties, Neumanii, Californica, digitata, lanciniata, and subtomentosa; Achillea ptarmica and Egyptiaca; several varieties of Helianthus, Clematis, Coreopsis, Zinnias, Enothera, and other plants. The oldfashioned Tigridia grandiflora, carried many of the visitors back to the days of their childhood, for this brilliant flower, each blossom of only a day's duration, has had to give way to the monotonous system of bedding or colour planting. Commelina cœlestis showed its lovely blue blossom. Primula Cashmeriana brought back pleasant memories of Indian passes to one gentleman present. The yellow Anthemis tinctoria was in great perfection. This plant is very interesting just now to the Woolhope Club, for that excellent botanist, Mr. Burton Watkins, has found it this year in a clover field on the Caradoc farm, in the parish of Sellack. It appears thus, for the first time, as a wilding in Herefordshire, introduced doubtless with the seeds of clover. Cystus Florentinus, with its lovely white flowers, was creeping in great luxuriance in the garden at the Graig. Bocconia cordata, Cimicifuga spicata, Portulacca involucrata, Lilium tigrinum, &c., were there. Senecio pulchar, the purple Siberian grounsel, and some lovely little varieties of Cyclamen showed themselves here and there. The handsome Gallardia grandiflora, single Dahlias, Verbenas, Penstemons, &c., were scattered about, and many uncommon looking leaves denoted the presence of shrubs and plants that in their season would demand a tribute of admiration. Many varieties of Sedum, and other rock plants ornamented the conglomerate rock work. But here a sudden stop has to be made. The cry of "Forward!" must be attended to, and the pretty garden with the kind and hospitable reception at the Graig be left for pleasant recollection. The handiwork of ladies is there, the plants proclaim ! The "Prospect," with its wide extensive range of sight (and the views from it can seldom be more clearly seen), was passed through from the Royal Hotel, where the carriages had been ordered, and in a few minutes the beautiful ride, so well known, by Goodrich to Whitchurch and Ganarew, was commenced. Gleams of bright sunshine and a pleasant wind made it particularly enjoyable. The quantity of over-ripe and yet uncut corn was remarkable, after so long a period of good harvest weather; and the great beauty and abundance of the Traveller's Joy, Clematis vitalba, must also be noticed. It is peculiarly luxuriant and beautiful in this district, climbing the hedges and trees, and hanging down in festoons laden with blossom. Gerard gave it this English name in 1599, "Traveilors Joie, as decking and adorning waies and hedges where people travell: Virgin's Bower, by reason of the goodly shadowe which they make with their thick bushing and climbing, as also for the beautie of the flowers and the pleasant scent, or savour of the same." By country people it is called also "Old Man's Beard," from the hoary appearance of the silky seed appendages. At the Ganarew Lodge of the Leys Park, Mr. Brown, who has so often attended former explorers of the Doward rocks and caves, and camps, was in attendance to act as guide, and so too was the head keeper. The ascent of the hill was begun at once, and whilst many went round to see the fine scenery of rock and river under the keeper's leadership, the rest ascended more directly to the iron |