INTRODUCTION. XV1U 



de Bunsen has related the history of Lilleshall Abbey. Mr. 

 J. Plant, F.G.S., of Manchester, has spoken on the geology 

 of Rudyard and neighbourhood, and Mr. Leo W. Grindon, of 

 the Manchester Naturalists' Field Club, on the botany of 

 Mow Cop and Congleton Edge. Mr. W. Challinor has told 

 of " Some interesting features in the history of Leek," and 

 Mr. W. S. Brough has explained its flora. Mr. W. Jones has 

 read an extract from the Municipal Archives of Stafford 

 relative to the visit of Queen Elizabeth to Stafford on her 

 way from Chartley in 1575, and Mr. G. A. Slater has brought 

 under the notice of the club the curious stalactite commonly 

 known as Buxton oak, a variety of sulphate of barium. 



These are, after all, but a few of the many interesting 

 subjects which have from time to time been brought before 

 the club ; but at any rate they are sufficient to show that 

 good work is being done by many of its members, and they 

 will serve to introduce this volume of selections, which conies 

 as a fitting close to its first ten years' existence, and an 

 earnest, let us hope, of renewed vigour and activity. 



