is good, and is surmounted by a niched dragon, which has lost its companion, St George.  Externally should also be noted (1) the vigorous, though defaced, series of gargoyles above the S. porch, representing an amateur orchestra; (2) the remains of a stoup; (3) the curious chamber at the S.E. end of the S. transept.  This last is a unique feature; it is supposed to have been the cell of an anchorite.  Beneath the E. window is a railing which marks the former existence of a sacristy (cp.  Porlock, N. Petherton, Ilminster).  The original doorways communicating with it will be noticed inside.  The interior is a trifle disappointing, and contains few features of interest.  Observe, however, (1) wooden groining to tower, (2) windows and roof of N. transept, (3) ancient square font on modern base.  In the S. transept there are traces of an earlier church:  here, too, note the image of St George.  There are several brasses, but none of much interest.  The earliest, on the chancel wall, bears date 1525.  One in the S. transept carries a crest with a ludicrous resemblance to a well-known advertisement.  Note also two old chests.  On the N. side of the churchyard is an old building, once the grammar school, founded 1499.  Some spacious new buildings for the school have now been erected outside the town, on the Yeovil road.  The road to Chard, which crosses St Rayne’s and Windwhistle Hills, is a breezy highway, and affords an extensive prospect.

Cricket Malherbie, a parish 3 m.  N.E. of Chard.  The church is a handsome modern building with a spire.

Cricket St Thomas, 3-1/2 m.  E. of Chard, is a parish with a small church charmingly situated above a valley through which flows the Dorset Axe.  It has a monument to Alexander Hood, Viscount Bridport, and another to the Rev. William, Earl Nelson, brother of the famous admiral. Cricket House once belonged to Viscount Bridport, but is now the property of F.J.  Fry.

Croscombe, a quaint-looking village midway between Shepton and Wells, situated in the pretty valley which connects the two towns.  The name perhaps comes from the Celtic cors, a marsh or marshy ground.  The church is late Perp., with aisles, clerestory, and a battlemented W. tower with a good spire.  The tower parapet has niches, some of which still retain their figures.  There is an E.E. doorway to the S. porch.  Within note (1) the unusual feature of a two storeyed vestry (cp.  Shepton), (2) curious little chamber at N.E. with ribbed stone roof.  The building, however, is chiefly remarkable for its elaborate display of Jacobean woodwork.  The screen is a fearful and wonderful piece of carving, reaching almost to the roof, and the pulpit (the gift of Bishop Lake, 1616) is of quite barbaric impressiveness.  The dark oak roof of the chancel is of the same date.  Some fine candelabra hang from the roof beams.  The remains of a village cross stand at the bottom of the pathway leading to the church.  An old house at the Shepton end of the village was an ancient hostelry, and is worth inspection.  Behind the church is the old manor house with a Perp. window.  Overhanging the road to Shepton is Ham Wood.