365 



foot thick, succeeded by a bed of clay of the same thickness con- 

 taining stalactites broken off and washed into their present position 

 at the same time as the clay. Under this clay was another bed 

 of stalagmite thinning out towards the Great Cavern, but thicken- 

 ing and even joining the upper bed as it approaches the Beehive 

 Cavern. Below this, and to as yet an unknown depth, the fissure 

 is filled Avith large blocks of reddish colored spar and clay, with 

 an occasional piece of limestone. This fissure extended the whole 

 length of the caverns, in Mr. Nicholls's opinion, and also widened 

 in depth ; hence the caverns, he thought, were at a very recent 

 period probably more than twice their present size. Researches 

 so far as at present carried out had failed to open up any Ijones 

 or other remains. 



The second contribution was a description of the Roman Road 

 near Radstock, also recently A^isited by the Club. A most careful 

 examination had been carried out under the direction of the 

 writer of these notes, and tallied exactly with the rules of road- 

 making laid down by Yitruvius. The wheel marks which had 

 been discovered on some of the stones were pecnharly interest- 

 ing. Specimens of these had been carefully taken up and Avere 

 exhibited. These Mr. McMurtrie kindly presented to the 

 Institution. 



EXCURSION TO LEIGH COURT AND AVOXMOUTII. 



The first excursion of the year took place on Tuesday, April 

 27th, and was Avell attended, some thirty members with their 

 friends finally mustering on the Somersetshire side of the Clifton 

 Suspension Bridge after various attempts at finding the shortest 

 way from CUfton DoAvn Station. The N.E. wind Avas bloAving too 

 keenly through the open iron work of the bridge to allow of the 

 Secretary detaining the members thereon to enjoy the someAvhat 

 giddy A'ieAV, and listen to him describe the geological features of 

 the rocks, the fine exposure of the Mountain Limestone, the faults 

 and dislocations, and the disputed origin of the gorge. A shelter 



