295 
YORKSHIRE NATURALISTS IN COVERDALE. 
THE calls of the time are such that even naturalists must 
expect to have their enjoyment curtailed, and the official request 
for the postponement of the Whitsuntide holidays had its 
effect upon the attendance at the meeting of the Union held 
at Middleham for the Whit week-end, June roth to 12th. The 
number of members present with the President, Mr. W. N. 
Cheesman, J.P., F.L.S., was not large, and this was the more 
to be regretted considering the excellent local arrangements 
which had been made by the divisional secretary, Mr. J. 
Hartshorn, Leyburn, and also the interest taken in the Union’s 
visit by local gentlemen. 
With the exception of Jervaulx, Coverdale has not, until 
the present occasion, been officially visited by the Union. The 
area chosen for investigation was the lower portion of the 
dale, which included West Scrafton, Carleton, East Witton, 
and Jervaulx. Considering the ample scope there is for the 
student in each section, it would most certainly be worth 
while to traverse the same area again when normal times 
return. 
Middleham itself is an old-world town, sheltered by the ruins 
of its medieval castle, a memory of the power and glory of the 
ancient family of Nevilles, and within the immediate vicinity 
of the town is much of historic and archeological interest. 
On Saturday the members first proceeded to Coverham 
Abbey, the ruins cf which were explained to them by the Rev. 
H. G. Topham, Rector of Middleham. The foundation of this 
Abbey of the White Friars dates back to 1214. The Abbey 
House was also inspected, and it was noticed that many carved 
stones and inscriptions had been incorporated in the adjacent 
buildings. What now remains of the site of St. Simon’s Chapel 
and Well were also visited. After leaving the Abbey the 
greater part of the rest of the day was spent in the vicinity of 
West Scrafton, where the beauties of numerous ghylls proved 
very fascinating, closing with a visit to Gilbert Scar Quarry, 
where the members examined the underground workings from 
which sandstone was obtained. The geologists had the able 
guidance of Mr. W. Horne, F.G.S., who, despite his advanced 
years, remained with the party all day, and added much to 
the pleasure of the excursion by his local knowledge. 
Sunday morning was spent in examining the meadows and 
woods alongside the river Cover (which joins the Yore at 
East Witton), proceeding as far as the village of Harmby. On 
reaching Leyburn in the afternoon the party was taken in 
charge by Mr. Hartshorn and Mr. F. Croft, and spent a delight- 
ful time on the celebrated ‘“‘ Shawl,’’ where memory was 
sweetened with the magnificent scenic panorama, and the 
1916 Sept. 1. 
