230 
YORKSHIRE NATURALISTS AT KIRKBY 
STEPHEN. 
‘ Gay lark of hope, thy silent song resume ! 
Fair smiling lights the purpled hills illume ! 
Soft gales and dews of life’s delicious morn, 
And thou, lost fragrance of the heart, return!’ 
Tuus sang Wordsworth, and surely his words rang true to 
those lovers of Nature who, with the memory of a second 
replica of the Deluge, sought a change for the Whitsuntide 
vacation at the ancient little town of Kirkby Stephen, situate 
at the head of the Eden valley, the pastoral charm of which 
was made replete by the encircling chain of hills, those north- 
ward being prominent landmarks of the Pennine range. 
This is the second year in succession that the Union has 
ventured beyond its own border into the county of Westmor- 
land, and although climatic conditions had retarded the 
growth of plant life on the fells, their sheltered valleys, and 
the meadowland along the vale, amply repaid investigation. 
The first day was devoted to an investigation of Upper 
Swaledale, within the Yorkshire boundary, a portion of the 
county which had not hitherto been visited by the Union. 
From Barras the party investigated the moorland area to Tan 
Hill, visiting the collieries there, and then proceeded over the 
moors to Birkdale Tarn, returning over the Ail Brig boundary 
pass to Kirkby Stephen. 
Nateby Common, High Seat to Nine Standards, and their 
intersecting valleys received a good deal of study on the second 
day’s outing; the geological transitions, with their varied 
indicative flora affording an ample field of study. The pano- 
rama as viewed from the summit of Nine Standards was 
exceedingly fine, the view encompassing the Mallerstang 
Range, Ravenstonedale, the Eden Valley, and Upper Swaledale. 
On the third day the members worked the lower portion 
of Pod Gill, Merry Gill, the romantic dell of Stenkrith, ending 
with a visit to the Brockram Quarries, where they saw the 
most notable geological formation of Kirkby Stephen being 
worked. 
The upper portion of Pod Gill, Hartley Fells, and the belts 
of intermediate woodland received attention during the time 
available on Tuesday. 
Visits were also made to Hartley Castle and Wharton Hall. 
Within the grounds at the latter place are some giant examples 
of sycamore, mountain elm, and the huge oak known as “ Lord 
Wharton’s Hollow Tree.” This oak is in vigorous growth, 
despite the fact that there is ample standing room within its 
hollow trunk for five persons. 
The General Meeting was held on Monday, the President, 
Mr.. Harold Wager, F.R.S., F.L.S., occupying the chair. 
Naturalist, 
