YORKSHIRE NATURALISTS’ UNION AT HAYBURN WYKE. 293 
and shales, and is in parts very rich in fossils, which soon resulted 
in the sharp ring of the hammer and chisel being heard, and the 
already tired and jaded scientist being further weighted down with 
many fine specimens. 
Pushing along until Hayburn Wyke was safely reached, and the 
welcome ripple and splash of its pretty waterfall greeted the ear, 
a cursory glance was taken of what seems to be a detached or 
disturbed portion of the cliff. Whether this is caused by a fault or 
not the geological surveyors have not yet determined, but that some 
considerable action has caused this condition of affairs seems evident. 
The pretty Wyke of Hayburn is typical of the scenery to be found 
amongst the Oolitic rocks ; rain, rivers, and atmospheric agencies 
asibe carved out many pace dales over the area occupied 
centre. What have been the conditions during the formation and 
growth of these rocks? It would seem that a similar series of 
events, on a smaller scale, to those that took place during the 
formation of the Coal Measures were occurring—sediment brought 
down by a large river from the carboniferous area west and north- 
west of the Vale of York, the level of the land varying considerably ; 
at times a shallow sea rich in marine life, and again a low-lying tract 
Subject to periodical inundations. The fauna contained in these 
beds indicate generally a brackish condition of the waters during 
the deposition of the beds, with an occasional bursting in of the sea, 
giving to certain of the beds a distinct marine character. 
The examination of the exposed sections being complete, the 
party at once proceeded to the Hayburn Wyke Hotel, where they 
Showed up in marked contrast by their travel-stained and weary 
look against the freshness of the recent arrivals, who had come on by 
later trains to join the party. After a refreshing tea, the Sectional 
Meeting was held in the open air, Mr. C. D. Hardcastle 
in the chair. Bags being emptied, it was at once seen that 
& very rich and representative collection had been got together, 
most of the characteristic fossils of the various beds seen during 
the day being among the spoils. These having been arranged 
and named, Mr. S. Chadwick, F.G.S., one of the Sectional 
Secretaries, reported on the day’s work to the General Meeting, and 
© Oct. 891. 
