REPORTS OF MEETINGS
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the past, such as the use of timber, mortar, thatch, flints and stones from
the chalky boulder clay in building was also shown, and it was pointed out
that the modern naturalist could not afford to ignore the work of the his-
torian in his study of natural history in its broadest sense; no community
of plants and animals in this country was unaffected by the human
population. After the lecture questions were invited, and the comments
of several members bore witness to the intense interest aroused by the
lecture.
The members then embarked in the coach and were accompanied by
Dr. Clifford on a tour of the surrounding country. Members who had their
own cars followed the coach and joined the main party when stops were
made at points of particular interest. The first halt was at Bonhunt Farm,
where was seen the Saxon chapel which, although not used for its original
purpose for 400 years or more, is in sound condition. The drive was then
continued to Newport, where, in passing, the Crown House and other
interesting buildings were pointed out. A halt for lunch was made at
Wendens Ambo road-end and, seated on the grass verge in hot sun, members
enjoyed their sandwiches and some visited the nearby inn for the liquid
part of the refreshment.
After lunch the coach proceeded by way of Audley End and Saffron
Walden to Hales Wood, where another halt was made. By permission of
the Audley End Estate, the party made a short inspection of this typical
oak-ash-hazel wood, and Dr. Clifford made a small excavation to demon-
strate the effect of the decaying vegetation on the underlying chalky boulder
clay. Again entering the coach, the road wag followed by Ashdon through
a charming countryside to Bartlow, where the party alighted and inspected
the tumuli known as Bartlow Hills. Here a number of insects were on the
wing, among them Burnet moths and Ringlet butterflies, and one member
saw, but was unable to catch for certain identification, a butterfly which
appeared to be a Large Tortoiseshell. The botanists were also busily
engaged in identifying a number of interesting flowers such as various
Bellflowers and Mulleins.
A footpath was then followed to Bartlow Church, where some time was
spent in noting the materials used in the building with its round towel.
The interior of the church was also visited, and the wall-paintings, par-
ticularly one of St. Christopher on the south wall, were examined with
much interest. The coach was then boarded once more and, after passing
through Balsham, was stopped near Dungate Farm. Here most members
alighted and walked through the farm on to Fleam Dyke. Our guide
pointed out that this was part of the Anglo-Saxon defences of the ancient
East Anglia and barred the way along the easily negotiated chalk escarp-
ment which was flanked by difficult country on both sides—dense woodlands
on the south-east and marshy fens on the north. The natural history of
the Dyke was found to be of great interest and, as its course was followed
for one and a half miles, members had plenty of opportunity to note the
plant communities of the different habitats provided by the dry bank with
its aspects to north-east and south-west and by the damp ditch at its foot.
A keeper's gibbet was seen whereon were hung five Kestrels and two Tawny
Owls as well as the more usual Carrion-Crows and two Sparrow-Hawks.
It was thought a pity that the keeper was not more appreciative of the good
done by at least the first two species. Many freshly-emerged Chalk-hill
Blue butterflies added to the beauty of the chalk-loving flowers, which
included some particularly fine forms of the Greater Knapweed.
On reaching the Newmarket road, the coach was again entered, and the
road was followed through Great Chesterford and Littlebury back to Wicken
Bonhunt, where tea was provided at the Youth Centre. After tea, Mr.
Pratt was elected to the chair, and a short formal meeting of the Club