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arvenis and V. persica).
A footpath beside a cornfield yielded the most
important find of the day, a large patch of
Mouse-tail (Myosurus minimus), also Thale Cress
(Arabidopsis thaliana). From here the path
led through a wood with late Bluebells, onto
an open heathy area where were Spotted Medick
(Medicago arabica), Small-flowered Cranesbill
(Geranium pusillum), and Comfrey (Symphytum
officinale). We were then able to get on to
the disused railway track, which was much
damper and becoming colonised by Horsetail
and Greater Willowherb (Epilobium hirsutum).
The Bistort (Polygonum bistorta) we took to be
a garden escape. The track took us back to
the lane, which led down to a greatly restored
mill and hamlet, where we saw Greater Celandine
(Cheledonium majus) and a ford, much enjoyed
by some of the foot-sore members of the party.
The final part of our round-trip was along
field edges, one of which led to an interesting
dyke. This had a stand of Ragged Robin (Lychnis
flos-cucculi), Water Plantain (Alisma plantago-
aquatica) , Figwort (Scrophularia nodosa) and
Water Starwort (Callitriche stagnalis).
A historical first for the Field Club was that
the party had a very distant view of the American
Space Shuttle 'Enterprise' making its approach
to Stansted Airport.
Pam Jermyn