YORKSHIRE NATURALISTS' UNION AT BRETTON PARK. 227 



the indications given by a few pit-shafts, there was little ocular 

 demonstration of the Middle Coal Measures, over which their route 

 lay. For the convenience of all two excursions were arranged. 

 The first left at ii.o a.m., and had the advantage of the presence of 

 Mr. Spencer, of Halifax, whilst Mr. J. W. Davis, F.L.S., F.G.S., of 

 Halifax, accompanied the second party, which left at i p.m. The 

 chief geological feature of the district is the Woolley Edge Rock, 

 with its fine escarpment, but time did not allow them to examine 

 it. The thinner sandstones, which alternate with shale and coal 

 seams over this area, form gentle slopes covered with fertile soil and 

 are well wooded. As might be expected, therefore, there were few 

 exposures, and the pit banks seen were either newly covered with 

 ashes, or did not exhibit anything worth noting. Accordingly 

 hammers rested quiedy in their bags, and the party enjoyed the 

 rustic beauty of Coxley Valley and Stonecliffe Wood, and the broad, 

 undulating scenery of Bretton Park, undisturbed by the temptation 

 to ' grub ' for fossils. A short account of the geology of the district 

 was then given by Mr. Davis. The geological features, were, for the 

 most part, hidden by the surface soil, and the only way in which 

 one could ascertain the geological structure was by an examination 

 of the sections obtained in sinking coal-pits. Nevertheless, the 

 district was extremely interesting. To the west of Bretton Park the 

 Lower Coal Measures were characterised by thick beds of sandstone and 

 grit, with intermediate shales and thin coal. The strata in the Bretton 

 Park district were the Middle Coal Measures. The thick grit and 

 sandstone which characterise the lower measures westward had disap- 

 peared, their places being taken by thinner beds of sandstone some- 

 what finer in structure. These beds were rather numerous. The 

 modified escarpments formed by the out-crop of the sandstones, alterna- 

 ting with shale and coal seams, gave the country a very beautiful 

 appearance. The most prominent feature of the neighbourhood was due 

 to the Woolley Edge Rock, on the far side of Bretton Park. The grit 

 which formed the moorland near Midgley was not of sufficient promi- 

 nence to form an escarpment, but caused the ground to be undulating. 



On the motion of Mr. Thomas Birks (now of Liverpool, and an 

 old member of the Union), seconded by Mr. J. M. Kirk, a cordial 

 vote of thanks was passed to Mr. Hobkirk for presiding. 



Mr. J. W. Davis took the opportunity of referring to the fund of 

 ;;^25o which it had been decided to raise on behalf of the widow of 

 their late friend Mr. S. A. Adamson, and mentioned that the fund had 

 not yet reached ^150. He was sure that if the members of the Y.N.U. 

 and of the affiliated Societies would only make up their minds to 

 raise the sum the task would be a comparatively easy one. — E.R.W. 



August 1890. 



