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THE YORKSHIRE NATURALISTS' UNION 

 AT KIRKHAM ABBEY AND ACKLAM BROW. 



The Yorkshire Naturalists' Union brought their excursion programme 

 for 1889 to a close on Wednesday, September 4th, when they paid a 

 visit to the beautiful valley of the Derwent. The ground was chosen 

 with a view to bringing all the forces of the Union into play, and lay 

 entirely in the East Riding. The members from Leeds and the 

 West were up betimes, reaching Kirkham Station soon after nine 

 o'clock. At half-past ten they were joined by the members of the 

 Malton Society and others. The first move was made to Kirkham 

 Abbey, which according to Mr. Fowler Jones, was built and endowed 

 by Walter L'Espec in memory of his only son, killed while out riding 

 at Firby. The archway in the gatehouse, in the Early Decorative 

 period, is a charming piece of work. On the face of it are carved 

 the arms of Clare, Plantagenet,Roos, and Vaux, the bearings of Clare, 

 Earl of Gloucester. After a further examination of the ruins, the 

 Rev. E. Maule Cole, M.A.,F.G.S.,with whom was Mr. Alfred Harker, 

 M.A., F.G.S., and about a dozen other geologists, proceeded to 

 Acklam Brow, whence, notwithstanding the haze, an extensive 

 view of the surrounding country was obtained. From Leavening the 

 geologists returned by carriage to Malton. 



A second party, consisting mainly of conchologists and botanists, 

 wandered down the river-bank to Howsham Woods, permission having 

 been granted by Sir Charles Strickland. Here the immense number 

 and varied colouring of the numerous species of fungi formed a chief 

 attraction. After ranging the woods, and making them disclose their 

 hidden treasures, the party ascended the hill to the Lady Ashes on 

 Spy Hill, where a short halt was called, and a glorious view obtained. 

 To the left, down by the river-side, lay the Elizabethan pile known 

 as Howsham Hall, while on the horizon, almost lost in the dim 

 distance, were seen the two towers of York Minster. On the opposite 

 side of the valley the grey tower of Crambe Church rose among the 

 trees, and a little to the right the white spire of Whitwell, and, on 

 the outskirts of the Castle Howard park, the monument erected to 

 the memory of George, Earl of Carlisle, caught the eye. The way 

 now lay through the pretty village of Westow, and thence to Huttons 

 Ambo Station. Here they were joined by a third party, who, under 

 the guidance of Mr. T. P. Longster, of Malton, had investigated 

 Firby Wood, thanks to the kindness of Mr. E. C. Taylor. The 

 united parties reached Malton by train soon after four o'clock, and 

 thoroughly enjoyed the tea provided at the Crown Hotel. 



At a quarter-past five an adjournment was made to the rooms of 

 the Literary Society, which had been kindly placed at the disposal of 



Naturalist, 



