ON THE EBU.VTIC BLOCKS OF EXGLAND, WALES, AND IRELAND. 119 



originally rounded, but has weathered away; no striro or groovings ; 

 mountain limestone, with casts of producti and encrinites ; it rests on 

 boulder clay, about 150 ft. above sea-level. 



Note.— This stone was used for mounting purposes in the days of the 

 grandparents of the present occupants. 



(25) In front of this house, forming a broad footpath, are about 200 

 boulders, averaging 8 in. in diameter ; they are composed of limestone, 

 whinstone, and sandstone, the latter predominating; they are rounded 

 to subangular, but of course, from wear and tear, no striae or groovings 

 are now visible. 



(2(3) In the parish of Thornton-le-Clay is a footpath over a mile in 

 length ; it is paved with boulders varying from 1 ft. 6 in, x 7 in. x 6 in. 

 to t> in. in diameter ; the footpath is about 4 feet wide, and is flanked by 

 the larger boulders. Thoy are composed principally of Carboniferous 

 sandstone, a few whiustones, granitiis, and mountain and liassic lime- 

 stone. Percentage about the following: granite,!; whinstone, 3; 

 mountain and liassic limestones, 18 ; Carboniferous sandstones, 78. 

 Generally speaking, they are rounded from usage, but a few of the 

 larger are subangular. 



Note. — This footpath has a certain degree of celebrity, as it was con- 

 structed by the orders of the famous Sydney Smith from stones collected 

 from adjacent fields. It will be remembered that Sydney Smith filled 

 the benefice of Foston-le-Clay (the adjoining village) from 1809 to 1831, 

 and his memory is still green in the neighbourhood. 



(27) About the centre of the village of Thornton-le-Clay (nearest 

 railway-station is Flaxton, N.E. of York) is a boulder forming a corner- 

 stone in Mr. Danby's timber-yard, 2 ft. 5 in. X 1 ft. 7 in. X 1 ft. 8 in. 

 out of ground ; subangular ; has been moved to its present position ; no 

 stria) or groovings ; mountain limestone ; now rests upon boulder clay and 

 gravel, 150 feet above sea-level. 



Group. — (28) In the parish of Thornton-le-Clay, upon farms in the 

 occupation of Messrs. John Buckton and W. Spaven, and also upon 

 premises occupied by Mr. Danby, are upwards of 1,100 boulders. _ The 

 largest measures 2 ft. X 1 ft. 11 in. X 10 in., the smallest being 10 in. x 

 9 in. X 6 in. They are principally subangular to rounded. The whole of 

 these have been taken from the adjoining fields, and are now in heaps 

 for mending of the roads, &c. No stria3 were observed. They are chiefly 

 composed of mountain limestone, Carboniferous sandstone, lias, basalt, 

 and granite. They were derived from boulder clay and gravel, 150 ft. 

 above sea-level. 



(29) At the east end of the village of Thornton-le-Clay is a boulder 

 on the roadside, 1 ft. 8 in. X 1 ft. 4 in. x 2 ft. out of ground ; sub- 

 angular ; long-shaped ; no striae now visible (it has been used for years 

 as a mounting-block) ; mountain limestone ; about 250 feet above sea- 

 level ; is the boundary stone between Thornton-le-Clay and Foston, and 

 has been, according to tradition, the scene of many disputes between the 

 inhabitants of the two villages. 



Note.— The country around is slightly undulating. Thornton-le-Clay 

 is built upon a flat, broad ridge of boulder clay. 



Staxton, near Scarbro\— (SO) In the centre of the village of Staxton 

 (parish of Willerby) is a boulder close to the horse-trough. It is 

 1 ft. 10 in. X 1 ft. 2 in. X 1 ft. 5 in. ; subangular : has been moved ; no 

 striaj or groovings ; Carboniferous sandstone. It is said to be one of 



