98
THE ESSEX NATURALIST.
Regaining the conveyances the party motored back past the large
glacial erratic known locally as the "leper stone" to Newport, where a
more extensive walk was entered upon eastward by field path along the
Debden valley to Debden Park, through the Park, visiting the church on
the way, past Debden Hall, not at present in occupation, round the large
lake, and so back by road to Newport. As the party trailed out through
fields golden with buttercups the description given in the Vision of Piers
Plowman came to remembrance :—
" A fair feeld ful of folk . . .
Of alle manere of men. . . ."
The songs of Nightingales, Wood Wrens and Blackcaps enlivened the way.
Wild Duck and a Heron were seen on the lake, a Wren's nest, with nestlings,
was discovered, but, of course, not interfered with, and several Hares were
put up during the passage through the Park. A large erratic of Hert-
fordshire conglomerate was noticed in the Park.
The fine timber in Debden Park and the glorious vistas across the lake
attracted universal admiration ; the recurrent heavy showers of driving
rain, though creating a certain external humidity, altogether failed to damp
the enjoyment and interior spirits of the party.
During the rambles our Conductor gave the party some informative
talks on the geological structure of the district, referring particularly to the
buried gorge of the Cam, and on the deterioration of neglected fields into
hawthorn scrub.
Tea was taken at the Newport Cafe, the arrangements made by the
proprietress for the well being of an unusually large number of guests being
much appreciated.
After tea some time was spent in visiting Newport Church, where the
celebrated 13th century chest, now converted into a side-altar (a restitution
to its probable original use as a portable altar) was inspected with interest.
This chest, which Messrs. Lewer and Wall, in their Church Chests of Essex,
1913, claim to be "the most valuable example of a church chest in all
England," has contemporary paintings on the inside of the lid which are
believed to be the earliest example of oil painting in this country.
A select few of the visitors were taken by Mr. Morris to the large sand
pit near the church, where an Early Iron Age burial has recently been
exposed in the face of the pit ; in a shallow surface hollow a layer of burnt
human bones and charcoal was seen, underlying which was an entire ox jaw,
seemingly purposely placed in that position. A bronze fibula was found
associated with the burnt bones.
During the ramble some seventy-five plants were recorded in flower,
including Ranunculus arvensis, Helianthemum vulgare, Geranium pyren-
aicum, Euonymus europaeus, Poterium Sanguisorba, Sanicula europaea,
Scandix pectenveneris, Viburnum opulus, V. lantana, Sherardia arvensis,
Valeriana officinalis, Vinca minor, Salvia verbenaca, Plantago media, Listera
ovata and several Carices (C. hirta, C. glauca, C. binervis, C. sylvatica,
C. paludosa, etc.).
At 7.15 o'clock the homeward journey was begun, Loughton, the
starting point of the day's excursion, being reached at 8.45 o'clock without
incident.