397 



YORKSHIRE NATURALISTS AT WHARNCLIFFE. 



One of the few fine days durinj^ the •summer' of 1903 was 

 spent in Wharncliffe Woods, which, notwithstanding^ their 

 proximity to thickly-populated towns and cities, still retain 

 much of their natural beauty. Over thirty members and 

 associates started from Deepcar Station on the morninjj of 

 Thursday, 3rd September, but did not get far into the woods 

 (which run parallel with the railway) before first one section 

 and then another was detained in the pursuit of its particular 

 work, until eventually the geologists, who had landed in a very 

 unpromising country, wended their way alone to get a view of 

 the surrounding district from the Crags. Emerging at length 

 in a clearing on the shoulder of one of the Crags, a grand view 

 of the Don Valley was obtained, and from this point the 

 Rev. A. T. Pratt gave a description of the physical features of 

 the neighbourhood. Many fine old Oaks occur in the 

 woods ; one example, in front of the Wharncliffe Lodge, was 

 measured by those present, and proved to be sixteen feet in 

 circumference at a distance of a foot above the ground. From 

 its decaying trunk a young Birch tree had sprung, and partially 

 filled the hollow in the Oak by its roots. Members of other 

 sections having gravitated to this point, the services of the 

 keeper were secured, and the party went through the park in 

 quest of the herd of Red Deer belonging to the Earl of Wharn- 

 cliffe. The deer, however, could not be found, and the search 

 was almost given up when the herd was unexpectedly met with, 

 having been hidden amongst the luxuriant bracken. It was 

 a grand sight — over a hundred of these magnificent animals 

 hurrying away, helter-skelter, through the trees, down the 

 rocky slope, and across the green beyond, until fairly out of 

 reach. Even the photographer, who was perhaps more anxious 

 than any to get 'within range,' was so intent on watching the 

 graceful movements of the herd that his opportunity for a 'near 

 view ' slipped by. The keeper, however, made amends, and, 

 calling on ' Diana' (a tame doe), that animal obligingly came at 

 close quarters, and after several unsuccessful attempts at a suit- 

 able pose, was snap-shotted. 



After tea at the WharncliflFe Lodge, about fifty members 

 attended the meeting, which was held in the open air, under the 

 chairmanship of Mr. W. Denison Roebuck. 



After certain formal business had been transacted, the repre- 

 sentatives of sections were called upon to give their reports, the 



1903 October i. 



