363 



meiit, as tlie floor showed no signs of it. Mr. S. Mitchell, who has 

 kindly furnished the Secretary with the notes of this excursion, 

 suggested that the excavation had probably been made in the first 

 place by water charged with carbonic acid, and that then the drop 

 of the roof would in no way influence the floor. 



Although lunch had been ordered beforehand, the Avonniouth 

 Hotel was found somewhat in confusion owmg to the presence of 

 the large party of crack shots competing for the honour of being in 

 the eight selected to represent England at Wimbledon. Lunch, 

 however, was ready by half-past three, to which 19 sat down. Mr. 

 Stoddart's health was proposed and thanks were formally expressed 

 to him. He contributed materially to the happiness of the day, 

 and not only very clearly expressed what he had to say at the 

 different halts that were made, but very good naturedly translated 

 over and over again into the ordinary vernacular the remarks 

 which he had made in technical language. After a short time spent 

 in watching the shooting the party returned by train to Clifton and 

 left Bristol by the 6.30 p.m. 



Excursion to Malmesbiiry. Oct. IQth, 1871. — A genial October 

 morning induced a goodly number of the Club to assemble at the 

 Great Western Railway station for the last excursion of the season, 

 the point of attraction this time being that "right magnificent 

 thing" of Leland's time, the Abbey Church of Malmesbury. A 

 large break with four horses and post-boys, and a humbler one 

 horse "shay" bringing up the rear, were barely sufficient 

 to convey the concentrated intellect of the Club from the 

 Chippenham Station to the prettily situated " Maidulphi Urbs." 

 An undulating country with nothing remarkable to attract atten- 

 tion for a distance of nine miles was quickly traversed. Section C. 

 (Geological) having but few representatives, the road side quarries 

 of Oxford Clay and Coral Rag (members of the Middle Oolite) 

 could not be examined, for fear of the weighty archaeological 

 anathemas that might have been hurled against the would-be 

 investigators ; no delays therefore occurred en route, and the large 

 but now disused cloth mill near the bridge reminded the members 

 that they approached the scene of the labours of one Stumpe, the 

 clothier. The first thing that attracts the eye on entering the 



