PRESIDENT S ADDRESS. 5 



the party insi3ected the entrance to an old lead mine at the base 

 of the cliff; no traces of ore, however, remained outside, and no 

 means were at hand for exploring the interior. Passing north- 

 ward along the shore, they were struck with the characteristic 

 appearance, on a large scale, of the face of the Boulder formation, 

 which there fronts the sea, and has for ages been exposed to all 

 the ravages of the north-eastern blasts, and to the action of the 

 sea on its base. It has been suggested that it would add much 

 to the value and interest of our "Transactions," if they could 

 be embellished with good photographic portraits of the peculiar 

 Geological features observed during this short stroll by the sea- 

 shore. 



By degrees the entrance to Castle Eden Dene opened upon 

 one section of the party ; the other, under Mr. Burdon's guidance, 

 having gone inland, and passed along the south side of the Dene. 

 The former section, as tlie weather looked verv threateninsr, 

 walked rapidly up the peerless Yew Dene, and soon gained the 

 hospitable mansion of Mr. Burdon, where an abundant and ele- 

 gant repast awaited their sharpened appetites. Mrs. Burdon 

 very obligingly jDointed out her beautiful collection of British 

 Ferns, flourishing in a favourable spot in the garden. Mr. 

 Burdon exhibited a very curiously-formed glass vase and other 

 remains of ancient date, which had been dug up in the immediate 

 neighbourhood of the mansion. The vase has been figured in 

 Surtees' " History of Durham." A somewhat similar one was 

 found some years ago in the Isle of Ely, and these are the only 

 examples of the manufacture that are known to exist. Another 

 object of interest was a bronze circle set on a small handle, and 

 having what might be taken for three seals of oval form attached 

 to the outer surface of the circumference at equal distances ; the 

 figures on the disks, however, were in relief, not in intaglio. The 

 use of this curious object is not known. 



Having visited that remarkable scene the Gunner's Pool, the 

 party, after a pleasant day, reached the train for Ferryhill as it 

 began to rain. At Ferryhill the party took tea, and the fol- 

 lowing papers were read : — 



