J26o 



NATURAL HISTORY OF MIDDLETON-IN-TEESDALE. 



In continuation of its usual practice of investigating the 

 fauna and flora of the county by means of field meetings, the 

 Yorkshire Naturalists' Union commenced its year's work at 

 Middleton-in-Teesdale during last Whit-week-end. Here, on 

 the borders of the county, with an occasional trespass into 

 Durham, the party spent a glorious time amidst glorious 

 surroundings. The district was surely ideal for a Naturalists' 

 Society ; and in addition to possessing a wonderfully varied and 

 interesting fauna and flora, the structure of the country was also 

 well accessible ; partly by means of the enormous sections 

 exposed during quarrying operations, and partly as a result of 

 the work of .waterfall and stream. The members had the 

 imusual advantage of well-informed leaders. In addition to 

 the divisional secretaries, Messrs. J. J. Burton and W. Robin- 

 son, there were Messrs. G. Hodsman, W. Walton, W. Collins 

 and others, all of whom exerted every possible effort to ensure 

 the success of the excursion. To Mr. Hodsman, also, the party 

 was indebted for thoughtful assistance of a very acceptable 

 nature ; his thorough acquaintance with the district enabling 

 him to gauge the requirements of a party of naturalists in a 

 wild county, where roads, " etc.," are few and far between ! 



To write a proper and adequate account of the Middleton 

 excursion would require much more space than can be 

 spared. The moors, waterfalls and quarries had their charm, 

 quite apart from their interest to geologist and zoologist ; 

 and it was not necessary to be an ardent botanist to appreciate 

 the delightful beauty of the azure stars of Geniiana verna as 

 they shone from the grassy slopes upon which they grew. 



After the excursion a meeting was held at the headquarters, 

 the Cleveland Arms, at which Mr. Burton presided. At this 

 reports were presented by the representatives of the various 

 sections ; thirteen new members were elected, and hearty 

 votes of thanks were passed to the landowners, and also to the 

 various gentlemen who had so willingly assisted with the 

 ■excursion. 



Mr. Burton's report on the geology of the district will be 

 found on page 268. 



The zoologists were not so well represented as usual, and 

 •consequently reports were meagre. A fine specimen of the 

 ■Common Lizard was noted, and accommodatingly left its tail 



Naturalist, 



