234 PROCEEDINGS OF THE COTTESWOLD CLUB 



If the drainage of the Welsh hills formed the north- 

 western tributaries of the original Thames river-system, 

 then presumably the drainage of the Pennine range 

 yielded the northern streams thereof. And among such 

 streams a continuation of one would have flowed down 

 the valley of the Evenlode. The westward working back 

 of the Trent would have tapped these streams successively, 

 giving them a shorter distance to a much lower level. In 

 consequence they would have rapidly cut their valleys 

 much deeper ; and so would be produced the hilly country 

 around, and south of Leek, by stream denudation. 



From Leek we proceeded to Uttoxeter, the Roman 

 station Utocetum castra. In asking our way we were 

 told to enquire for Utchetur, if we wished to be under- 

 stood. This reminds one of the story in Akerman's 

 Wiltshire Tales — of the man who enquired of a native for 

 Cirencester. The native knew no such place. " The 

 next town ! " " Oh, Zizitur, you mean, about two mile off." 



By the road-side, south of Uttoxeter, there was evidence 

 of much northern drift. I seemed to follow this drift all 

 the way into the Severn valley, and on another occasion 

 into the Thames valley, by Oxford. The importance of 

 the distribution of this drift, and its connection with 

 ancient river drainage has been pointed out by H.J. 

 Osborne White. ^ 



Owing to tyre troubles, the rain, and the hilly country 

 we were not able to accomplish more than some 55 miles 

 on our first day's homeward journey. It was necessary 

 to halt for the night at a little village called Abbots 

 Bromley. 



The peculiarity and the similarity of features in a group- 

 photograph attracted my attention here. Nearly all the 

 faces possessed a broad, somewhat bulbous nose, with 



* Op. cit.. ].. 157: 



