THE YORKSHIRE NATURALISTS’ UNION 
IN UPPER SWALEDALE. 
[ApoLocy is due to readers—and hereby offered—for the tardy 
appearance of this report, but indulgence will readily be conceded 
by all who learn that it was caused by a complication of most 
serious illnesses from which Mr. Goodchild, whose geological 
account was indispensable, has suffered for several months, and 
from which he has only lately recovered J. 
The August bank-holiday excursion of last year was fixed for 
Upper Swaledale, particularly the part lying around the villages of 
Keld and Muker, and the remarkable hillock of Kisdon; and was 
arranged as a three-days’ or week-end excursion, the district being 
far too inaccessible for a single day’s investigation. Arrangements 
had been previously carefully made by the Secretaries for the 
accommodation of members, this being rendered more than usually 
necessary from the fact that inns are both few in number and far 
apart in such a remote district. The greater number of the 
members stayed at ‘ The Cat-hole’ at Keld, and others were lodged 
at the Joiners’ Arms at Thwaite, and at the Farmers’ Arms and the 
Queen’s Head at Muker. The Union were particularly fortunate in 
having as their leader Mr. J. G. Goodchild, F.G.S., of H.M. 
Geological Survey, by whom the district was geologically surveyed 
some sixteen years ago, and who may therefore be considered (in 
a much more literal and accurate sense than that in which the 
phrase is often used) to know every inch of the ground. This, and 
his genial companionship, made the excursion a success in every 
way, both as regards the scientific results achieved and the enjoyment 
of it by the members present 
The actual proceedings commenced on Saturday, the 2nd August, 
when Mr. Goodchild led a party of members, who started about 
mid-day from Askrigg Station, although a few were on the ground 
early on Friday morning. 
A second party, arriving at Askrigg late in the afternoon of 
Saturday, were conducted over the moor to Keld by Mr. W. Denison 
Roebuck, F.L.S., and another party (from Skipton) walked over from 
Hawes to Keld about the same time. The distance from Askrigg 
to Keld being about eight miles, and much of it being performed by 
the second party in the dark, all were glad to reach their inns. 
Mr. Goodchild’s party, travelling by daylight, were more fortunate, 
and learnt much from him en route, as they traversed the outcrops 
of the various strata, first up the Wensleydale and then down the 
Naturalist, 
