152 THE ESSEX NATURALIST.
the village street, inspecting the various old houses and other historical
monuments. The moulded brick chimney stacks (16th century) of Martins
Farm were first inspected, and then the 17th century plaster work and
shell hood of the Crown House (1692) claimed attention. Passing beneath
the railway bridge the notice of tolls on the old Tollgate cottage was next-
noticed. Passing thence along the village street many old timbered houses
were seen, and the triangular area, once the village green, but now much
encroached upon and built over, was passed, and the party arrived at Monks.
Barn. This house, once a Grange of the monks of St. Peter's, Westminster,
is a striking example of 15th century building. The timber framing is
filled in with diagonal brickwork, largely original, and a striking carving
forms the corbel of an oriel window.
A halt was made south of the village to inspect the site of the old New-
port pond with the Neolithic settlement above; and then the drive was 
resumed to Quendon. Alighting here, a gravel pit behind the Church was
visited, where Boulder Clay was seen, in situ, above a bed of sand and gravel.
A fine St. Acheul hand-axe is said to have been obtained from this spot;
but although a systematic search has been made there has been no confirma-
tion of this statement—in fact, the material of the gravel seems to indicate
a Tertiary origin, at least in the lower strata.
At Quendon the visitors were greeted by the sight of the first swallow
of the spring, and the willow wren was heard.
Crossing a ploughed field the visitors then entered Quendon Wood,
where, by the kind permission of the owner, Mr. Foot-Mitchell, of Quendon
Hall, they were able to inspect the hybridisation of the Oxlip (Primula
Elatior) with the primrose (Primula vulgaris). The flowering of these plants
had been retarded by the lateness of the season, but sufficient specimens
were obtained to enable the members of the party to examine both the
pure strains and also the hybrids of these species. Proceeding to the south
end of the wood the sight of a considerable mass of wild daffodil (Narcissus
Pseudo-Narcissus) was enjoyed.
Crossing the intervening fields the party then entered a patch of woodland
on the Mid-glacial Gravel and were able to compare the more open character
of these woods with those on the Boulder Clay. The foxglove was noted
as indicating the absence of Chalk in the soil of this formation.
After a picnic lunch on the edge of the wood, the brakes were again
requisitioned, and, after a short drive through country roads, Rickling Hall
was reached, where, by the courtesy of the tenant, Mr. C. D. Roeder, an
inspection was made of this interesting building.
In the fields south of the Hall are the remains of the mount and bailey
of an earlier building. The mount is eighteen-and-a-half feet high and one
hundred and thirty-five feet in diameter at the base; the ditch is now five
feet deep and partly destroyed. The ditch and part of the outer bailey
have been converted into the moat of the present house. The present Hall,
built about 1500, has been divided into a farmhouse and two cottages, with
outbuildings. Originally it consisted of two ranges of buildings, separated
by a courtyard which was entered by a gateway through the northern
range. In 1600 the two side ranges were built, completely enclosing the
court. Although much altered many interesting architectural features
were noted.