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YORKSHIRE BRYOLOGISTS AT PATELEY BRIDGE. 



The geological change from the Magnesian Limestone at Knaresbro', to 

 the millstone grits of Pateley Bridge is not more complete than the change 

 in the moss and hepatic associations of the two districts ; none of the mosses 

 noted in the report of the Knaresbro' meeting were seen here, and the 

 dominant species were entirely different. , 



The romantic Raven's Gill was first investigated, and mosses such as 

 Cyiiodontium brinitDJii and Tetraphis browniana were seen for the first 

 time by many of the party, Tetraphis pelhicida was found fruiting, and 

 the uncominon liepatics Cephalozia citrvifolia and Jiibiila hutchinsia 

 obtained. On the rocks in the stream a distinct variety ot Enrhynchinm 

 niyusoroides, called rivulave brought out di.scussion, and on the damp 

 banks, masses of Pterogophyllum lucens were gathered. 



On the wa}' to Guj^'s Cliff a find was made of Schistostega osmundacea , 

 the weird, golden green, apparent phosphorescence from the protonema of 

 this moss in the dark crevices, has always been a ' will o' the wisp ' to 

 the mossman, and at last it was to be .seen. The effect is a very curious 

 one, almo.st as if light shone on it from the back of the crevice ; many of 

 these places seemed to be used as burrows by the rabbits, which confirmed, 

 in some measure, the idea that these animals are responsible for its dis- 

 tribution. 



Next, Ditrichum homoinallum was found, and then Guy's Cliff reached. 

 On the rocks and cliffs here some of the larger hepatics, as Mylia taylovi 

 and Bazzania trilobata grow, and also the delicate Lepidozia pinnata. 

 The moss association of these rocks is dominated by the Dicranacecs group, 

 D. fuscescens and its variety Falcifolium. D. majus ,D. scoparium and 

 Campylopiis flexuosiis with a little Dicvanodontium loiigirostre. The 

 Plagiothecium elegans was frequent, and its variety colliuitm raised hopes 

 of some rarer treasure. 



The party returned to Harrogate for tea, and afterwards the time 

 allowed by the depleted train service was used in examining a series 'of 

 microscopic mounts of the peristomes of mosses, made by Mr. R. Barnes. 

 A very cordial vote of thanks was passed to Mr. Yorke, for the permission 

 he accorded the Section to visit his estate. 



C. A. Cheeeham. 



BIRDS. 

 Shags inland in January. — On January 25th, a large 

 bird was noticed flying about over Manningham Mills, Bradford, 

 and later, descended to try its luck on the goldfish in the mill 

 darn. Two days later it was caught in a workshop by Mr. 

 Knight, and was given to Mr. Garnett, in rather a weak state ; 

 dying the following day. It was at first reported to be a 

 Black Swan, and afterwards as a Cormorant. The bird has 

 been preserved, and I have just had an opportunity of examin- 

 ing it. It is an immature Shag, but is mounted in a rather 

 un-shag-like attitude, and with very blue eyes! As Shags are 

 of unusual occurrence inland (this one being an addition to our 

 list of local birds) this January movement inland is note- 

 worthy. Their appearance preceded, by a few days, an ex- 

 ceedingly severe spell of almost Arctic weather. — H. B. Booth, 

 Ben Rhydding. 



Naturatisti 



