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rather doubtful, as the reason he gives is not by any mears 
convincing. A rampart of semi-lunar form cuts off a neck of 
land with a deep valley on either hand. The scenery, so far as 
the rain admitted of its being seen, was very picturesque, but a 
mere hasty walk along the vallum was all that could be accom- 
plished, and a more careful inspection was left for finer weather. 
A curious fissure in the rocks adjoining, called the ‘ Fairy Slatts,’ 
was the next point visited. These ‘Fairy Slatts,’ occurring in the 
Dolomitic Conglomerate, were most probably the remains of some 
mineral ‘drivings’ of the ancient people. Mr. Niblett, of Glou- 
cestershire, here informed the members that the term ‘Slatts’ 
was a provincial name for slates, and that ‘Slatter’ was an old 
patronymic derived from the manufacture of that article. He 
further added that ‘Scowles,’ (derived from the Welsh word 
‘Ceuawl,’) a cave, was a term given to passages into or through the 
hill-sides in the Forest of Dean, said to have been the delvings of 
the ancient inhabitants, Romans or Celts, in search of iron. 
Passing onwards to Broadway lane the last stoppage occurred at 
the point where the Somerset and Dorset line crosses the road. 
A very remarkable section of Lower Lias and Rheetic beds lying in 
a trough against the Dolomitic Conglomerate is exposed here. The 
more enthusiastic of the party descended amidst mire and clay to 
have a look at it ; the rest remained in the ‘break,’ content with 
their day’s wetting and somewhat damped in their ardour. A 
most hospitable lunch, provided by Mr. and Mrs McMurtrie, 
however, restored their spirits, and sent them home refreshed and 
gratified. Before leaving an opportunity was given for the ex- 
amination of Mr. McMurtrie’s fine collection of coal ferns and 
other fossils, together with his admirable sections. Amongst the 
fossils especially worthy of notice was a Limulus found in the 
Camerton pit. 
The usual Tuesday walks have been well sustained, though any 
novelty in them can hardly now be expected. The sinking a new 
shaft at the Twerton Colliery, which has reached a depth of some 
