416 
having on the other side however armed even the most timid 
with courage. The wall was assaulted and won after various 
mishaps to the more weighty in years and honours, and thanks 
to the kind forethought of the Vice-President and his family 
there an ample and welcome lunch was spread out on the green 
sward ; cake, sandwiches, and other good things, it is needless to 
say, rapidly disappeared. 
At the entrance to Rowberrow Church the inscribed stone over 
the south porch gave rise, as it always does, has done, and will 
do, to discussion, Mr. Scarth supposing it to be from 7th to 9th 
century date. Mr. Davis was again of assistance in pointing out 
the architectural features. On the way to Shipham a tumulus was 
visited, said by Mr. Scarth to have been opened by Mr. Skinner, 
of Camerton, without any results. The Secretary gave a short 
description of the geology of the district ; touched upon the Old 
Red axis of the hills, with the Mountain Limestone dipping away 
to the north ; spoke of the denudation which had taken place in 
past ages, the result of which was seen in the old water beach on 
which the members were then standing. It was in this con- 
glomerate made up of the debris of thé hills, cemented together 
by a Magnesian paste, that the “old men” made their workings, 
which would be passed at Shipham. Were these workings for 
calamine or lead-ore? If for the former, was calamine known to 
the British as it seems to have been to the Romans? Researches 
among the workings by local men would reveal this. After these 
remarks the Roman road was followed to the calamine pits which 
completely riddle the surface near Shipham, some specimens were 
taken, and Banwell was at last reached. A short visit was paid to 
what was originally an ancient house belonging to the Bishop of 
Bath and Wells now in the possession of Mr. Simpson, who, while 
making the additions necessary to constitute a modern residence, 
has sought to restore and preserve the form of the ancient 
building. The chapel formerly used as a cider cellar he has made 
into a library and decorated in a very elaborate manner, The 
