122
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 11/2 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 Hugh 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circa 1826, which, being superseded by a more recent structure, has been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 11/2 mile!) to Crews
Hill station on the Great Northern Railway was entered upon, and the
7.4 o'clock train for London duly caught.