174 EXCURSION TO CHARNWOOD FOREST. 
returned home together, reaching Leicester at 7 30. The success of the 
excursion was heartily acknowledged, and was largely due to the exertions 
of Mr. G. Hull, one of the secretaries of the Society. 
The geological party made their first halt at the syenite quarries 
near Groby Pool. Here Mr. Harrison pointed out the character of the rock— 
a crystalline aggregate of reddish felspar and green hornblende, with some 
quartz. Thered marlsof the Trias were seen dipping away from the syenite 
in all directions. Passing the botanical party at Groby Pool, the carriages 
drove rapidly through Bradgate Park to Swithland Wood. Here the 
deep slate pit was examined, and the stripe which denotes the eastward 
dip of the strata specially noted. Passing on through Woodhouse Haves, 
the visitors next (by the kind permission of Mrs. Herrick) passed over 
the fine ridge of the Hanging Rocks. Here the leader enlarged on the 
physiography of the district, showing how the Charnwood Hills stood 
up above the surrounding plain by reason of their superior hardness, 
which enabled them better to resist denudation. Driving round Beacon 
Hill, the interesting quarry for hones, at Whittle Hill, demanded a 
flying visit. The rock here isa siliceous slate of fine texture. From 
this point to the Oaks Church the ground was quickly covered, and 
the party again dismounted to examine the stretch of wild moor- 
land which lies between this point and the Forest Rock 
Hotel. The mode of formation of logans, or rocking stones, was 
pointed out by Mr. Harrison, and both at this point and at 
the great mass of volcanic agglomerate, which stands like a wall 
further on, the evident volcanic nature of the strata was described. 
Showered out from volcanic cones—perhaps many in number—the 
material of our Charnwood rocks formed stratified deposits, either on 
land or in shallow seas or lakes. These have since been greatly altered 
and denuded by the natural agents always at work—rain and rivers, 
frost, ice, and snow, chemical and electrical actions. They have 
alternately been depressed below, and raised thousands of feet above the 
sea level, until we find them at the present time forming a low chain of 
hills in the very centre of England, of strange and somewhat bizarre 
appearance when compared with the heavy clay land formed by the 
carboniferous, triassic, and liassic strata by which they are surrounded, 
Whilst baiting the horses at the Forest Rock Hotel, the High Towers 
ridge, with its singular breccia bed, was noted with interest, and the 
position of the great Coleorton fault, which runs at the foot of the ridge, 
and separates the Forest Rocks from the coal measures, was pointed out, 
Passing Bardon Hill, the Markfield syenite quarries were examined with 
much interest, and here the party had the advantage of the guidance 
of Mr. J. B. Everard. From this point Newtown Linford was soon 
reached, and tea enjoyed at the well-known Bradgate Arms, whose 
resources were taxed to the utmost, but provided satisfactorily for every 
one. A pleasant walk in Bradgate Park closed a very enjoyable and 
satisfactory day. Among the gentlemen from a distance of scientific 
reputation who accompanied the geological party were the Rey. J. M. 
Mello, of Chesterfield; Rev. T. F. Fenn, of Trent College; A. H. Scott- 
White, Esq., and Dr. Dixon, of Nottingham; Mr. E. Hollier, of Dudley; 
Mr. J. T. Cook, of King’s Lynn; Major Barnard, of Cheltenham; Mr. 
W. H. Holloway, of the Government Geological Survey, &c. 
The success of this combined excursion was great beyond anticipa- 
tion. The arrangements were most complete in every respect, and, as in 
addition the day was gloriously fine, nothing was left to be desired. Mr. 
Harrison and Mr. Mott earned the grateful thanks of every excursionist 
for the admirable manner in which they conducted and instructed their 
respective divisions. 
