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Blaisdon to Ludlow, a distance of between 40 and 50 miles, is altogether through 

 the Old Red Sandstone, exposing good section of strata, with every degree of 

 inclination, and considerable beds of detritus. It is difficult to ascertain or even 

 approximate to the thickness of strata comprised in such an area ; this must be 

 sought for in the escarpments and ridges of the Black Mountain, and the river 

 channels of South Wales, where a good succession is observed, and which, when 

 fairly invoked, give an estimate of at least 10,000 feet. The strata in Hereford- 

 shire are pierced by a single trap dyke at Bartestree, near the Hagley dome, full 

 particulars of which will be found in the Silurian System, as well as of a similar 

 dyke at Brock Hill, on the left bank of river Teme, near Shelsly Beauchamp, on 

 the borders of Worcestshire. Let me add, that the name " Silurian " was happily 

 selected by Sir Roderick Murchison to include the strata immediately below the 

 Old Red, prevailing over the territory occupied by the ancient Silures and their 

 neighbours, and superimposed on the Cambrian or older rocks of North Wales ; 

 and the names of Ludlow, Wenlock, Caradoc, and Llandeilo direct the enquirer 

 to those districts where he may find the strata instructively exhibited in a true 

 descending order. Carefully as these strata have been examined, there is still 

 detail to be made out, and abundant pleasure to be derived from their identifi- 

 cation. The zealous explorer need not fear but that he will be rewarded with 

 discoveries. The Hagley dome, replete with interest, brought to light by the 

 late Mr. Scobie, had escaped for 20 years all other explorers, including the staff 

 of the Ordnance Survey, who had bestowed with excellent results so much time 

 and strength on the exammation of the immediate district round Woolhope. 

 I cannot forbear the remark, that the names of those friends, whose premature 

 departure we have so much reason to deplore, are associated in the record of this 

 discovery.* 



Few organics have yet been collected from the Old Red Sandstone of Hereford- 

 shire, in comparison with what have been found in Scotland and elsewhere. I 

 have not heard that the railway cuttings have produced a single specimen ; but 

 there are many localities where they have been found, and which have hitherto 

 been scarcely examined. The detritus and gravel, of daily increasing interest, 

 will be found a rich and productive field. The nature and distribution of soils 

 and vegetables naturally invite our examination, and we trust will be followed 

 up by some of our members who have already, in the previous year, shown 

 themselves not unequal to the task, and who will thereby be enabled to vindicate 

 the study of natural history, to the " cui bono " enquirer. There is, however, a 

 higher view, which we must not lose sight of. Endowed with reason, man is called 

 on all sides to the contemplation of God's works, and, enlightened by God's grace, 

 to the study of His word. In one he sees the manifestation of Almighty power 

 and wisdom ; and in the other of Divine love and mercy to mankind. In the 

 words of Professor Sedgwick, to whom I have been privileged to listen as a master, 

 in his delightful book on the Studies of the University of Cambridge : — " The 

 studies of mankind have sometimes been divided into natural, moral, and reUgious. 



* See a paper on the protruded mass of the upper Ludlow rocks at Hagley Park. Hereford- 

 shire, by Hugh E. Strickland, Esq., F.R.S., &c., in the Quarterly Journal of the Geological 

 Society of London, November, 1852. 



