64 
its growing end. As the polyp divides or buds, fresh coral tubes 
are also developed. The various specimens which were shown 
(kindly lent by the Blackburn Museum and by Mr. F. H. Hill) 
illustrated how the form of the coral depended on the size of the 
individual polyps, and their mode of fission or budding. Reef 
building polyps Hourish only in seas whose temperature is never 
less than 680 Fahr. nor at greater depths than about 26 fathoms. 
Yet reefs of corals exist springing from the bottom’ of an ocean 
1000 fathoms below the surface. This was shewn to be owing 
to the subsidence of the ocean bed; and the condition of the 
reef, whether fringing reef, barrier reef or atoll, depends on the 
amount of subsidence which the ocean bed on which the reef is 
resting has undergone. ‘The structure of the sclerobasic red coral 
and of the hydrocoralline was swiftly glanced at, as time would 
not allow a fuller description. 
Dr. Tovey also touched upon*the interesting question of the 
rate of growth of corals, and also of their commercial value. For 
the elucidation of the lecture drawings in various colored chalks 
were produced on the blackboard by the lecturer. 
STRAY NOTES ON THE ANCIENT AND 
MODERN HISTORY OF EAST LANCASHIRE. 
By TATTERSALL WILKINSON. October 14th, 1884. 
BURWAINS. 
This pretty, sequestered manorial house stands on the side of 
a deep clough, which runs up from Catlow Bottoms. It com- 
mands delightful views both up and down the Walverden Valley, 
while the heathery crown of old Boulsworth, forms a charming 
apex to the eastern horizon. From an inscription over the porch, 
it appears that this house was built by John Briercliffe, in 1642, 
two years previous to the battle of Marston Moor. at a time when 
England was convulsed in the deadly throes of a civil war. It 
seems that the De Briercliffes held lands in Briercliffe in the 14th 
century. There can be no doubt that this ancient family was 
located here immediately after the conquest, and derived their 
name from the township. The Briercliffes continued to reside 
here up to the beginning of the 18th century, when Burwains 
finally passed into the possession of the Robertshaws, of Cold- 
weather House, who are the present owners. Prior to 1642, 
when the present structure was erected, there existed an old 
building, and when the new hall was finished, John Briereliffe 
had the original inscription of the old house placed over the 
