312
THE ESSEX NATURALIST.
Last year a well, believed to be of Elizabethan date, was discovered
in the grounds : it is some six feet deep and is fed by a spring which
never fails and which serves to keep filled a large pond nearby.
After exhaustive inspection of the premises, lunch was taken by the
visitors in the garden, our hosts kindly supplying tea, coffee and
lemonade for their guests.
Before leaving this hospitable dwelling, our President, in the name
of the party, thanked Mr. and Mrs. Paterson for their kind reception and
hospitality, and Mr. Paterson replied.
Danewort (Sambucus ebulus) was noticed growing in the lane along
the base of the garden-wall of Riffhams, but not yet in flower : in more
than one spot in the grounds a cream-coloured variety of Bush Vetch
(Vicia sepium) was seen growing along with the normal purple-flowered
form, and several other interesting plants, including the alien Symphytum
peregrinum, Anchusa sempervirens and Caltha palustris, were observed
here.
Passing through the wood behind Old Riffhams, where the ground
was blue with a carpet of wild hyacinths, and across Old Parsonage
Farm Field (now derelict and becoming converted into hawthorn-scrub),
Adder's-tongue Fern was seen in small quantity. Heather Hills was
reached by way of the Rodney grounds, and here evident traces of an
earthwork, of circular outline, were noticed flanking the summit of the
hill. The glorious prospect to the west from this view-point was much
admired.
At Gibb's Farm, near Wedlock Green, the residence of Dr. Chaplin,
a delightful fragment of Perpendicular oak tracery, the head of a screen
from some ecclesiastical building, was noticed serving as an ornamental
adjunct to a porch. Dr. Chaplin informed us that the fragment was
purchased from a dealer in Maldon, and is believed to have come originally
from Beeleigh Abbey.
Proceeding next to Bassett's, the Essex residence of our honorary
member, Professor J. W. Gregory, of Glasgow University, where the
visitors were received by Mrs. Gregory, a Judas Tree (Cercis siliquastrum)
in full bloom, just outside the garden-gate, attracted much attention and
admiration. The interior of the house, which dates from the 16th century,
contains some oak panelling and many oak-raftered ceilings, some of
which have only just been opened up by the present owners. Mrs.
Gregory conducted the party through the house and was cordially thanked
by the President for her kindness.
The visitors then made their way through Bassett's Wood to Tofts,
an originally small 16th century building, much enlarged by plain 19th
century additions which certainly do not add to its appearance. The
late Lord Rayleigh resided here for about a year before taking up residence
at Terling and built a laboratory in which to conduct his experiments
in physics. Here the present owners, Mr. and Mrs. Woodhouse, welcomed
the party, and very kindly provided a welcome tea in the grounds :
afterwards, a leisurely survey of the latter, including the rock-garden and
lake, and an inspection of some of the many domestic pets (cats and
canaries) which are bred by our hosts, were made.
After our President had expressed the party's thanks to Mr. and Mrs.