206 THE ESSEX NATURALIST.
with a fine late-Norman doorway. A general inspection was made of
the fabric, and the several monuments and brasses to members of the
Saltonstall family, now in the north chapel, were discussed ; the hour-glass
and its wrought-iron stand attached to the pulpit attracted much interest.
Leaving the church, the visitors proceeded at first by road and then
through the fine avenue adjoining Ford Place and by field-path across
the valley of the Mardyke, to Stifford, where the church of St. Mary-
the-Virgin was visited, the Rector kindly volunteering to conduct the
party round the edifice and to point out the various objects of interest.
Here, too, the monumental brasses came in for a large share of the visitors'
attention, especially the unusual shroud-brass of an unknown priest in
the central aisle and the fine half-effigy of Ralph Perchehay, rector circa
1380, whose mass-vestments are ornamented with the swastika on the
apparel of the alb : the inscription runs "Orate p anima dni
Radulphi Perchehay quondam rectoris istius eoclie:"
Here, also, an hourglass stand persists, attached to the wall close by the pul-
pit, which latter bears date 1611. The curious wooden open stair in the
Tower, with solid triangular steps nailed ladder-wise on to stout "strings,"
attracted curious attention. From Stifford, the ramble was continued by bye-
lanes to Purfleet, lunch being taken en route and botanical pursuits claiming
the chief attention of the party—so much so, indeed, that the more absorbed
individuals did not reach Purfleet until nearly one hour after the appointed
time. However, the members forming the afternoon contingent (who
had travelled direct from town to Purfleet) were duly found in the
picturesque old-time quarries, curiously named "Botany," which had,
by courtesy of the owners, Messrs. Harrison, been thrown open for the
party's inspection ; and here further plant-treasures were discovered.
During the ramble from Stifford to Purfleet, or at the latter place
itself, the more interesting plants noted included the following :—
Draba verna Salvia verbenaca
Euonymus europaeus Euphorbia amygdaloides
Trifolium subterraneum Orchis morio
Ornithopus perpusillus Orchis mascula
Poterium Sanguisorba Scilla hispanica
Saxifraga granulata Ophioglossum vulgatum
Smyrnium Olusatrum Asplenium ruta-muraria
Chaerophyllum anthriscus also (not yet in flower) :
Viburnum lantana Silybum Marianum and
Kentranthus ruber Lactuca virosa
A local legend of history, told us by a native to explain the very
picturesque detached stack of Thanet Sand which caps the Chalk in
the Purfleet quarry, although not vouched for by the writer, may be
recorded : we were assured that the then owners of the pit had refused
to allow this stack to be quarried away, as it marked the exact spot
where Queen Elizabeth stood when she saw the "Spanish Armenians"
coming up the Channel and at the sight exclaimed "Oh, my poor fleet !"
Hence the place-name Purfleet ! Tea was taken at the Royal Hotel,
Purfleet; and this happily concluded what was unanimously voted a most
interesting expedition. The view of the Thames from the hotel windows,