60 



were pretty miicli the same as at present. Only oue of the 

 slabs exhibited any portion of the bony skeleton of the little 

 Saurian, but this was of much importance, aa it showed one of 

 the vertebrae with its spinous processes, and there was reason 

 to think that in the hands of a careful operator more of 

 the skeleton might be developed. This precious morsel may 

 possibly help to lift the veil of mystery which still hangs over 

 much of the physical history of the reptile. It fell into the 

 hands of Mr, Maw^ who will not fail to elicit from the relic all 

 the information it is capable of yielding, respecting the nature 

 of the creature of which it once formed a part. The botanists 

 of the party had their share of gratification in finding Teesdalia 

 nudicaulis in considerable abundance. 



After luncheon, provided by Mr. Maw, at the Elephant-and- 

 Castle, the party was conveyed in carriages to Haughmond 

 Abbey. Another of those recent Fossils which remain to excite 

 the interest of the antiquarian, and to set him speculating upon 

 a condition of things which some among us would wish to see 

 restored — as well attempt to revise the Rhynchosaur ! A short 

 time only was spent at Haughmond, evidently derived from 

 Haut Mont. There are some interesting bits about it, espe- 

 cially the Chapter House of "decorated Norman," the three 

 arches of which are very fine, but like most of its congeners it 

 has been used as a quarry, and the entire church, with large 

 poi-tions of the other parts of the building have thus disappeared. 

 By the side of the road, eastward from the Abbey, is a quarry 

 in the " Cambrian " rock, on which grow Sedum telephium, and 

 Sedum Forsterianum, the latter a very local plant. 



Friday, 11th June. — This day was set apart for a visit to the 

 Breidden Hills, and an exammation of their structural and 

 other peculiarities. The rail conveyed members to Shrewsbury, 

 and thence to the Middletown Station, at the foot of the 

 Breiddens. A few yards west of the station is a deep cutting 

 which exhibits extensive Drift deposits, consisting of " Boulder 

 Clay," capped by Gravels. In an article from the pen of Mr. 

 Maw, in the Geological Magazine for June, 1867, this section is 



