presibent's address. 137 



sculpture both horns of the bull and both horns of the stag, 

 between which two-horned animals the unicorn is placed. 



It is time that I should pass from these speculations, which are 

 too flimsy, I fear, for our practical society, to the record of our 

 substantial doings in the past year, according to the authentic 

 documents furnished me by Mr. Storey. 



The First Field Meeting of the year was held at Bywell and 

 Riding Mill, on the 30th of May, when nearly 30 members were 

 present, and, the weather proving remarkably fine, it was a day 

 of much enjoyment. By permission of Mr. Beaumont, the party 

 inspected the woods and grounds at Bywell ; several students of 

 antiquity lingered round the parish churches and the old castle ; 

 whilst the botanical section examined the woods and river -banks 

 on both sides of the Tyne, and collected several interesting plants 

 mostly in full flower, of which the following are the principal : — 

 Trollius europceus, Thlaspi alpestre, Coclilearia officinalis^ Draha 

 verna, Cardainine amara, Arahis thaliana, A. hirsuta, Arenaria 

 trinervis,Malva moschata, Geranium 'pJicBum^Euonymiis europceuSy 

 Astragalus glycyphyllus, P^'unus Padus, Rosa spinosissima, Rihes 

 ruhrum,Myrrhisodorata,Origanumvulgare,Lysimachianemorum, 

 Armeria maritima, Salix pentandra, Juniperus communis, Orchis 

 mascula, Paris quadrifolia, Scijpus lacusfris, Carex paniculata, 

 Equisetum Telmateia, E. limosum, and E. hyemale. 



After a long and pleasant ramble, the party, to the number of 

 '^^j sat down to an excellent dinner at the inn, at Biding Mill, 

 and 20 new members were elected. 



It is to be regretted, that, in our local histories, there are no 

 details of the ancient condition of Bywell, and of the origin of 

 the twin parishes of St. Peter and St. Andrew. Both parishes 

 compose but one township, and are evidently, therefore, a sub- 

 division since the Saxon a3ra, and of. the Castle itself, familiar as 

 its aspect is to every lover of scenery as a favourite subject with 

 our artists, but little is known historically. The barony passed 

 from the Baliols to the Nevilles, and possibly some armorial 

 shield may be discovered on the building to speak to its date. 



The Second Meeting was held at Durham, on the 20th of June, 

 and was attended by 23 members. The great attraction of the 



