YORKSHIRE NATURALISTS AT HOLMKIRTH. 205 



taken from Holmfirth in the direction of Holmebridge, the valley 

 of the Holme being thickly studded with substantial stone-built 

 dwellings, and frequently with busy manufactories. It was a gradual 

 ascent all the way from 460 ft. above sea-level at Holmfirth to 610 ft. 

 at Holmebridge — on either side lofty grit-capped hills lined the valley. 

 The party now left the main road and turned on Brownhill Lane on 

 the way to Ramsden Clough, passing on the way the two reservoirs 

 recently constructed for the water supply of Batley. All the way the 

 scenery had become grander and more impressive. They were now 

 at an elevation of 800 ft., and before them the dark, imposing heights 

 of Ramsden Edge, Holme Moss, etc., rose steeply to an altitude of 

 1,600 ft. This bold line of escarpment, in the form of a gigantic 

 amphitheatre, in its regularity seemed like a colossal wall barring all 

 further progress. These heights are capped by the Third or Middle 

 Grits, and as the shales underneath weather away the superincumbent 

 rock falls off at its jointings, and the escarpment continues to preserve 

 its characteristic wall-like character. Here and there the mountain 

 streams cut their way into the escarpments, forming dikes or cloughs, 

 in which may be seen leaping silvery cascades. 



Ramsden Clough is a fine section of the Third Grits series, about 

 550 ft. in thickness, overlying the Kinderscout Grit. The latter 

 forms an inlier in the valley, and the lowest bed in the series is quite 

 a conglomerate. Mr. Field then described the succession of the beds 

 composing the Third Grits, and recounted the divisions of the same 

 by the Geological Survey, who for these various sandstones employ 

 the letters A, B, C, and D. The escarpment of Holme Moss alluded 

 to is in the Division B. The party descended into Netherby Clough, 

 fording the small stream on the way, and made the steep ascent of 

 Netherby Brow to the quaint and isolated village of Holme, which 

 certainly is 'far from the madding crowd," and, for this reason, would 

 be an admirable place for developing scientific studies. It stands in 

 a fine position, about 1,000 ft. above sea-level, and is surrounded by 

 majestic scenery. Although the tiny village was astir with Whitsun- 

 tide excitement, yet the Fleece was expansive enough to admit the 

 party for sorely-needed refreshment. Near the friendly gable of 

 Mr. Beardsall's house, for the wind pierced the town-bred natures, 

 Mr. Field gave a short address upon the geology of the district before 

 them, explaining the salient points and positions of the beds. 



And now to recover lost heat, the way was taken briskly down 

 Fieldhead Lane to Digley Wood, thence the geologists turned to the 

 left up the valley, past Bilberry Mill, and were shortly on the bank 

 of the famous reservoir of that name. It was a beautiful picture, 

 the placid sheet of water, like burnished silver, right in front the 



July 1889. 



