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FOURTH SERIES.—No. IV. OCTOBER, 1870. THE ANCIENT FOEEST OF DEEEFOLD. (Bead before the Woolhope Naturalists' Field Club.) "' Now, goode men,' quod our Oste, ' herkneth me. I smell a Loller in the wind,' quod he. 'Abideth for Goddes digne passion, For we shall have a predicacion; This Lollar heer wolde prechen us somewhat.' "l The ancient Forest of Deerfold, or Darvold, as it is now more commonly called, is situate in the northern part of Herefordshire, between Aymestry and Lingen, and between Wigmore and Shobden. It is chiefly con¬ tained in the parish of Wigmore, but partly also in that of Aymestry. It is not large in size, about 2,500 acres, and consists of high ground, with one chief valley sloping to the south-east. Its situation is extremely secluded, and its scenery on the northern side, where it is bounded by a steep descent to the plains beneath, is very fine. The highest portion of the forest is a hill to the south, and it is the highest ground in the district. Six other counties may be seen from it, viz., Gloucestershire, Worcestershire, Shropshire, Montgomery, Radnorshire, and Brecon. The summit of this hul shows the remains of a circular camp, and there are the traces of a ditch which enclosed a much larger portion of the round top of the hill. The inner circle is planted with a row of Scotch firs, probably fifty years old. 1 Chaucer, " The Schipmannes Prologue." 4th sek., vol. i. 19