164 REMINISCENCES OF 



many widely known publications on the abbeys and 

 cathedrals of Great Britain. Our new acquaintance 

 and Mrs. Walcott accompanied us to the abbey, and 

 he gave us the benefit of his perfect knowledge of the 

 history and former outlines, as well as the char- 

 acteristic peculiarities which distinguished Bolton 

 Abbey from other similar relics of bygone ages. 

 During our stroll he discovered that I was a 

 botanist, and immediately proposed a bargain. I 

 was to give him botanical instruction based upon 

 the plants and flowers still abundant in the 

 higher parts of the Yorkshire dales, and he would 

 instruct me in the leading features of ancient 

 ecclesiastical ruins. This plan was most pleasantly 

 carried out during the remainder of our stay in 

 Bolton, and our friendship continued until Mr. 

 Walcott's death, some years later. Leaving Bolton, 

 we drove over the hills into Airedale, as far as 

 Settle, staying a day at Malham. At Settle I was 

 anxious to visit the recently discovered Victoria 

 Cave, and hearing that Mr. Tiddeman, the Govern- 

 ment geologist, in whose hands the exploration of 

 the cave was placed, had already gone to it, we 

 hurried after him, to secure, if possible, the benefit 

 of his intelligent guidance in examining it. When 

 nearly a mile from the spot we met him returning ; 

 but on seeing us, he most kindly retraced his 

 steps and took us along with him. This cavern 

 is an unusually interesting one. A large portion of 

 its floor was occupied, when first explored, with 



