192 HULL SCIENTIFIC AND FIELD NATURALISTS' CLUB. 



sandstones which, however, crop out only in one or two 

 places, like the Church hill at Holme-on-Spalding-Moor. 



In short, all our East Yorkshire rocks are Secondary and 

 Quaternary only ; and, although briefly described above, the 

 knowledge is fundamental to adequate comprehension of the 

 present day local geography, scenery, and plant life, which 

 will be treated of in the sequel. 



The rocky groundwork, taken together with the atmos- 

 pheric, aqueous, and resultant plant conditions, entirely 

 determines the character of the scenery of any district. Thus 

 Holderness is not a dead level as may be supposed, but very 

 pleasantly undulating, and this is owing to the glacial gravel 

 accumulations spoken of above. The natural streams and 

 numerous artificial drains, meander along reed and sedge 

 fringed courses, which anglers know well to appreciate, and 

 of which artists would do well to cultivate the acquaintance. 

 For, notwithstanding the lowness of the land, there are 

 scores of " bits " of utmost picturesqueness and quiet 

 beauty wherever waters are making their way slowly to 

 the Humber. Adjacent to the noble estuary, even if some- 

 what muddy, how scenic interest arises. In every mood of 

 storm or shine, wild morning or red-golden sunset, the 

 Humber is beautiful. Perhaps the upland Wolds will be 

 preferred. Nowhere of great elevation, nevertheless, their 

 undulating wind-swept " fields " are inspiring and almost 

 grand. Dropping down to the " Levels " we have the soft 

 beauty of purple heathery commons, wheat, flax and potato 

 fields, woodland and orchard, all harmoniously blended in 

 the ever circling seasons. 



What is called artificial is, after all, only a phase of the 

 natural, so reference here may be made to the perfectly 

 picturesque brick and red-tiled farms and villages that meet 

 the eye gazing upon our East Yorkshire landscape. Generally 

 dominated by old churches, and embowered amidst tall trees 

 of elm or ash, the villages have a positive charm unequalled 

 elsewhere. 



It has already been hinted that the plant is dependent 

 upon such conditions as those above mentioned ; and in 

 consideration of the botanical aspect, we may begin with 

 our centre — Hull. Take the trees of the city. All our main 

 " roads" are really avenues of trees, and will strike the visitor 

 as uncommonly fine as such. Before building operations 

 were so extensive, we had still more trees, especially of the 

 big rough-barked elm ; and many of these still remain 

 piously included, even in the pavement. Of wild plants it 



