36 ROUND THE YEAR 



The allurements of the spot are pure and bracing 

 air, wide prospects, and constant incitements to 

 exercise. The naturalist finds a profusion of flowers 

 and streams swarming with aquatic insects. Mr. 

 McLachlan 1 witnessed an extraordinary spectacle in 

 our valley in the end of September, 1873. All the 

 way from Ilkley to Bolton Abbey (about seven miles) 

 the valley swarmed with a rather uncommon Caddis 

 fly (Halesus auricollis). When a branch was shaken 

 the air became alive with the flies, and they covered 

 the grass. I think I have never found any stream 

 quite so full of aquatic insects as Beamsley Beck, 

 which empties itself into the Wharfe close to Bolton 

 Bridge. 



We have hill and valley ; moor, woodland, meadow 

 and pasture ; endless streams and fountains. Few 

 places in England offer more variety, and the 

 naturalist's great danger is that of distraction. Every 

 day there is some new thing to note, and he is apt to 

 become hasty and desultory. 



On this bleak slope, which faces due north, and is 

 open to every wind which has north in it, we can grow 

 few plants to advantage. When I was putting in trees 

 and shrubs I ventured to aspire to Apple trees. 

 " Apples ? " said the nurseryman. " Yes, you might get 

 blossoms in a good season, and of course there would be 

 the leaves to look at." I climbed down, and contented 

 myself with Gooseberries and Black Currants. Our 

 Cabbages and Lettuces are a success, and the rockery 

 is gay with Alpines, but we attempt nothing that fears 

 the wind. 



1 Entom. Month. Mag., Vol. X. p. 140 (1873). 



