170 



where the konstone and the coal crop out, and are worked in the open air. An 

 excellent section is thus obtained. The stratum immediately below the surface 

 is a ferruginous sandstone, in which large nodules of uronstone occur. Below is 

 a large coal-bed, some 12 feet in thickness, divided by a thin shale into two 

 seams ; the upper being the well-known Red Ash, the lower the less valuable 

 White Ash coal. Here an intelligent workman, who has benefited by the 

 instruction of Dr. Bevan, pointed out to the party a Calamite, one of the tree- 

 reeds of the carboniferous period, standing upright in the ironstone bed. He 

 stated that, when first laid bare, at least 20 feet in height of it was visible ; and 

 it was not yet fully uncovered. Some of the members brought away fragments 

 of this " tree." The bark was converted mto coal, but the centre of the stem 

 was wholly sandstone. 



From this very interesting spot, the party were taken to the cottage of the 

 workman before alluded to, where they were no less surprised than gratified to 

 find a collection of valuable specimens of Sigillaria, Lepidodendron, Calamite, 

 ferns of various species, and other fossils of the Coal-beds. 



As the day was by this time fast waning, the members hastened to Bryn- 

 mawr, at which place they found their vehicle awaiting them. A smart drive 

 of ten miles brought them back to their hotel at Abergavenny. There an excellent 

 dinner, provided by Mr. Philip Morgan, was an agreeable realisation of the 

 great scientific truth that even philosophers must dine, if their explorations of 

 nature jure to be rendered satisfactory to body as well as mind. 



The Rev. J. F. Crouch presided, and the company included among the 

 visiting friends, C. C. Babbington, Esq., the eminent botanist of Cambridge ; 

 Dr. Samuel Steele, of Abergavenny, and Mr. J ames Davies, of Hereford. Of 

 members present there were : Revs. T. T. Lewis and W. S. Symonds, Dr. Bevan, 

 Dr. Gillilaud, Mr. E. Y. Steele, Mr. Suter, Hon. Secretary, Mr. Lingvvood, F.R.S., 

 Mr. Flavell Edmunds, Mr. A. Thompson. 



After the removal of the cloth, the Chairman gave the health of the Queen, 

 which was followed by the health of Dr. Bevan, with thanks for his kindness in 

 guiding and entertaining the members that day. Dr. Bevan neatly acknow- 

 ledged the compliment. On the suggestion of the Hon. Secretary, which was 

 unanimously agreed to, the Chairman requested Dr. Bevan to draw up a narra- 

 tive of the day's excursion, in order that it might be pubhshed in the Society's 

 transactions. Dr. Bevan consented to do so ; and intimated that he was making 

 a collection of fossils of the Carboniferous strata for the intended Museum of the 

 Club. At 8 p.m. the company separated, having spent a most agreeable and 

 instructive day. 



