268 The Field Naturalist's Quarterly August 



of an interesting address, reviewed the important events that had 

 occurred in the scientific world during the past year, making reference 

 to wireless telegraphy and the progress in methods of timekeeping 

 instruments, mentioning particularly a clock, the invention of Invan. 

 An alloy of steel and nickel, it was stated, had a very small coefficient 

 of expansion, and was invaluable for pendulums. Dealing with as- 

 tronomical matters, he said that four new comets were discovered in 

 1902. As regarded the club, several interesting gatherings had been 

 held. The late Dr. Manson's books had been purchased and added to 

 the library. Numerous specimens of plants had been brought in and 

 named. Mention was also made of the excursion to Forcett, promoted 

 by Mr. Edward Wooler, when the club visited the site of what was 

 believed to bean ancient British encampment, extending from the Swale 

 to the Tees, and of which a large portion of the constructive parts yet 

 remain. A number of valuable papers had been contributed during the 

 year. On the proposition of Mr. Wooler, seconded by Mr. Ord, a 

 hearty vote of thanks was passed to Mr. Watson, the retiring president, 

 for his instructive address. Mr. James Wilson, of Newlands, was elected 

 president for the ensuing year, and the officers were re-elected. Mr. G. 

 Best was again asked to discharge the duties of hon. secretary, and a 

 cordial vote of thanks was extended to him for his services, extending 

 over many years. It was suggested that, as a reward for his many 

 services to the club, a piece of plate or suitable article of furniture, 

 should be presented to him. Mr. Robert Smith called attention to the 

 fact that a huge boulder had been discovered on the Clifife Estate by 

 Mr. Lear. The boulder was of Shap granite, measuring 9 feet by 6 feet 

 10 inches by 5 feet 3 inches, being the largest glacial boulder yet found 

 in the neighbourhood of Darlington. 



On 2nd May the members of this club had a very enjoyable field day, 

 beginning at Greystone Farm, near Manfield, and then proceeding to 

 Cliffe, where the newly discovered granite boulder is situated. Messrs. 

 E. Wooler, Turnbull, and others directed the digging operations in 

 order to get the full size of the boulder, which proved, on measurement, 

 to be 9 feet by 7 feet 8 inches by 6 feet 6 inches — Shap granite. 

 Messrs. Smith and Cleghorn took the bearings and full particulars 

 of both the Cliffe boulder and also the one at Greystone, which 

 is supposed to be a " Rhyolite," from Shap. The Rev. Mr. Win- 

 gate and Mr. W. J. Mountford photographed the large boulder. 

 The botanists, under Mr. Wingate and Mr. T. M. Thompson, had 

 an enjoyable ramble, and reported finding Gagea lutea, yellow 

 gagea ; Lathrcm squamaria, toothwort ; CJuysospleniiim oppositi- 

 foliian and C. alternifdlium ; golden saxifrage. Several rare birds and 

 insects were noted by Mr. Geldard. At the usual meeting held on 

 Tuesday evening, Mr. Wilson, the president, in the chair, the inves- 

 tigations made at the excursion were recorded. On the motion of 

 Mr. Ord, and carried unanimously, it was decided to elect the Rev. W. 

 J. Wingate as honorary member of the club. Mr. Ord showed a fine 

 fossil orthoceros pyramid, found in carboniferous limestone at Frosterley. 



