CiRC. 153. 



Carboniferous Rocks which formerly extended over these parts. The Yoredale 

 Rocks consist of strata of marine origin, and inchide limestones, calcareo-siliceous 

 rocks of organic origin (the so-called 'cherts'), sandstones, shales, and some few 

 thin coal-seams, which are of marine origin, like the rocks with which they are 

 associated. They were all originally deposited in horizontal sheets, which have 

 since been indurated, jointed, folded, and fractured. Most of the disturbances that 

 have affected the district are of older date than the New ]\ed Rocks, which formerly 

 extended across the plain whose undenuded remnants form the mountain tops. The 

 valleys were shaped by the present rivers in late Tertiary times ; and it was during 

 this same period that the mineral-veins for which the district is celebrated were 

 filled. These metalliferous veins are deposits from the hot springs which rose 

 through the faults in the strata during the wane of the great volcanic episode, 

 represented by the rocks of Mull, Skye, Antrim, etc. During the great Age of 

 Snow, Arkengarthdale was first tenanted by glaciers, and then coiiipletely enve- 

 loped by ice of indigenous origin, and was not, at any time during that period, ever 

 invaded by foreign ice, nor was it submerged. The details of the structure of the 

 district are of too complicated a nature to be sketched out here; but the broader 

 features will be fully discussed on the ground, with the aid of diagrams and sections. 



BOTANY.— 



Flowering' Plants. — Mr. J. G. Baker, F. R. S. , writes as follows ('North 

 Yorkshire,' ed. 2, pp 151-153) : For several miles along the eastern side of the 

 lower part of Arkengarthdale we have a fine range of Main Limestone precipices. 

 They begin at Shaw Beck, up which winds the road between Reeth and Barnard 

 Castle, come out in strong force along the edge of Booze Moor (1,712 feet), and, 

 crossing a glen, continue beneath the Hind Rake lead mine (1,515 feet) and beneath 

 the Copperthwaite lead mine (1,415 feet) as far as Fremington, forming as viewed 

 from Reeth a noble range of crags winding along the crest of the opposite hill. 

 The following are the more interesting plants of these cliffs and the Punchard's Gill 

 ravine : — Thalidrum calcareitm, HuUhinsia petraa, Thlaspi occitanum, Draba 

 incana, Viola Intea var. , Hitbtcs saxatilis, Epilobhim alsinifoliuin, Galium syl- 

 vestre, Hieraciiim mitroniin, H. aesinin, Taxus baccata, Jnnipertts communis, 

 Epipacds ovalis, Sesleria cceritlea, Poa nemoralis, Allosortis crispiis, Asplenium 

 viride, and Lycopodiicm selaginoides. 



Mosses. — Mr. J. G. Baker, F. R. S. , names the following species as occurring 

 on the cliffs opposite Reeth and in Punchard's Gill ravine : — Gymnostomut)i curvi- 

 rostrutn, Seligeria reatrvafa, Blindia acuta, Dieranum ficscescens, Racomitrium 

 protenstivi, Ulota Bruchii, Aviphoridiitm Moiigeotii, Pogonatu7ii alpinum, Zieria 

 jtdacea, Mniuiii affine, Orthothecium intricatiim, Eiirhynchium pjimiliim, Plagio- 

 theciuDi pulchelliim; and the following as occurring between Reeth and Richmond: 

 Meesia nligiiiosa, Bartramia ithyphylla, and Fissidens pusillus. 



Lichens, Algae, Fungi. — No records. 



VERTEBRATE ZOOLOGY.— 



Mammalia. — Mr. J. E. Tinkler notes that Hedgehog, Mole, Stoat, Common 

 Shrew, Weasel, Squirrel, Mouse, Brown Rat, Water Vole, Hare and Rabbit are 

 all found. About the middle of the century both Marten and Polecat were 

 common, but they appear to be extinct at the present time. 



Birds. — Mr. J. E. Tinkler, now of Leytonstone, published in The Naturalist 

 for October and November, 1892 (pp. 309-325), a paper on ' The Avifauna of 

 Arkengarthdale, Swaledale, and the New Forest,' based upon experience gained 

 during a twelve years' residence in Arkengarthdale, of which his father was vicar. 

 This paper includes a list, with localities and local names, of 122 species of birds, 

 including all the characteristic types of moorland and hilly districts. He notes that 

 early August is not a particularly good time for the ornithologist in the dales, still 

 most of the ordinary resident species would be seen in the course of a ramble up the 

 main valley and side gills. The moorland bird life at this season is represented 

 chiefly by the Red Grouse, with occasional Snipe, Teal and Wild Duck, perhaps, 

 too, the Merlin might be seen, if by any chance a brood has escaped the gun or 

 trap, and unless things have greatly altered during the past ten years the Kestrel 

 should be a prominent feature of the landscape. The newly cleared hay fields are 

 usually interesting at this time, numerous species, both moorland and otherwise, 

 betaking themselves thither for feeding purposes. The mountain ashes, too, attract 

 the Ring Ouzel and other thrushes, while the Dipper is sure to attract notice both 

 on the Arkle and its tributaries. 



