174 



The opinion, however, has long been growing among geologists that it is rather 

 by a rising and falling of the surface of the land, and consequent alteration in the sea 

 level, that the great variations in temperature must be explained. Such changes are 

 admitted to have taken place in the mountain regions of the Polar circles. In Switzer- 

 land also there is distinct evidence of two great extensions of ice having taken place in 

 former times, the latter oue corresponding possibly to the age of our own glacial drift. 



Gentlemen,— The Eev. W. 3. Symonds, who was to have given us the geological 

 address to-day, has been called suddenly to Belgium to examine some fossilised human 

 bones found in a cave there. Let us hope that his enthusiasm in the matter of drifts 

 and gravel beds will not lead him unconsciously within reach of any German military 

 earthworks. He has promised to attend our Builth meeting, when he will no doubt 

 kindly give our club the benefit of his researches if he should happUy bring his own 

 "Old Bones" safely away. Meanwhile it was only at the particular request of our 

 worthy President that I considered it my duty as a member of our club to answer 

 to his call, and boldly to venture on the task of supplying Mr. Symonds's place— a 

 post which I cannot but feel woiUd have been much better filled by many of the 

 gentlemen I see around me. 



After the conclusion of the paper, which was received with applause, the 

 party proceeded to descend the hill, separating on the way into two groups. 

 One of these took the longer round by the Hanter hill and through the pass 

 between that hill and "Worsal wood back by Rhiwbach farm, and thence 

 under Hergest ridge and Held wood to Kiugton ; while the others chose the 

 shorter but more difficult route down the steep aide of the mountain, and 

 through the tangled brambles, huge rocks, precipices, and debris- covered 

 slopes, here and there gemmed with flowers of the "Devil's Garden." The 

 characteristic plants of Stanner hill abounding in this part of the " rocks," 

 many a vasculum was enriched on the way down. Among the plants obtained 

 by one or other of the many botanists present were the following :— 

 Veronica spicata (spikeflowered speedwell), Erodium cicutariwn (hemlock 

 storks-bill). Lychnis viscaria (viscous catchfly). Geranium sanguineum (blood- 

 hued cranesbill), Lepidium Smithii (wall pepper), Sdcranthus perennis (knawel), 

 Mcenchia erecta, and the two Sedums already mentioned. 



About 4 p.m., the whole party re-united at a well-served dinner at the 

 Oxford Arms Hotel, Kington. The chair was occupied by the President of 

 the Club, Dr. Bull ; and there were also present— the Vice-Presidents, the 

 Rev. H. Cooper Key, Dr. McCuUough, and Elmes Y. Steele, Esq. ; the Hon. 

 Secretary, the Rev. George Cornewall ; Arthur Armitage, Esq. ; R. W. Banks, 

 Esq., Ridgeborne; Thomas Blashill, B^q., London; T. Curley, Esq., Flavell 

 Edmunds, Esq., and T. W. Garrold, Esq., of Hereford ; J. E. Lee, Esq., 

 Caerleon, Monmouthshire; Rev. J. F. Crouch, Pembridge; Rev. E. Da 

 Baisson, Breinton ; Rev. J. H. Jukes, Preston Wynne ; Rev. H. W. Phillott 

 Staunton-on-Wye ; Rev. Charles Smith, Tarrington ; Rev. Thomas West 

 Fownhope; Rev. Thos. Woodhouse, of Hay; J. E. Smith. Esq., of Hay; 

 Captain "Williams, Talgarth ; and the foUowing visitors :— Miss Hodgson, of 

 Stanton Lacy; Wm. Aston, Esq., H. 6. Apperley, Esq., Captain Cowtan, 



