i 
99 
Secretary who is anxious that Geology should not be lost sight 
of, he has undertaken to furnish a few notes of some excursions 
in the Mendip country during the past autumn. 
It cannot but be regarded as a matter of regret that in Bath, 
which was really the birthplace of Geology, and around which 
there is a greater variety of strata and greater facilities for 
studying Geology than are enjoyed in any other part of England, 
so few have hitherto devoted their attention to this branch of 
science ; but it is to be hoped the splendid example put before 
the Club by Mr. Charles Moore will not be lost, and that others 
_ may be induced to follow in the path in which he attained so 
much distinction, 
In the notes which follow the writer would only ask the 
members to accompany him in a few Saturday afternoon excur- 
_ sions, which formed a substitute for a better holiday, and if 
they should thus be induced to wander off upon similar rambles, 
the object of these notes will have been fully accomplished. 
INTRODUCTORY. 
In meetings of this kind, it is always better to assume that 
amongst the audience there may be some to whom the teachings 
of Geology are not familiar, and the writer would first of all 
‘point out, very briefly, the general structure of the rocks in the 
district around the Mendip Hills. 
The great central feature is the Mendip range, stretching from 
Frome by way of Shepton Mallet and Wells to Weston-super- 
Mare, where these hills are lost beneath the waters of the Severn. 
The ridge consists of a central mass of Old Red Sandstone, 
divided in places by masses of igneous rock and upheaved 
by some force from beneath, its beds being almost perpendicular. 
‘This is the foundation rock of the district, no older sedimentary 
tock being met with until we get west into Cornwall or north 
towards Tortworth. 
