206 YORKSHIRE NATURALISTS’ UNION AT ROKEBY. 
Similar permission was granted by Lord Strathmore, of Streatlam 
Castle, for the exploration of the neighbouring district immortalised 
by Charles Dickens. The fine weather preceding the excursion- 
day had induced numerous members to spend the week-end in the 
neighbourhood, the Cleveland Naturalists’ Club in particular, having 
one of their regular excursions in Upper Teesdale. 
On the early morning of Monday, however, the weather looked so” 
threatening (especially after the heavy rainfall of Sunday), that it no 
doubt deterred some from attending the excursion. However, by the 
_ time Barnard Castle was reached, all clouds had passed away, and the 
sky was one glorious stretch of sunlight. On leaving the train at 
11.30, the travellers from all parts of Yorkshire, augmented by the 
advance party, proceeded through the town, which presented a very 
gay appearance. The cyclists of the North Eastern Counties were 
holding a large camp in the neighbourhood, and large bodies of 
*wheelers’ blocked the streets accompanied by bands of music; 
bunting was everywhere flying, and one in particular, ‘Welcome to the 
visitors,’ was appreciated equally by the naturalists. Leaving the busy 
little town with its gay and festive scenes, the members proceeded to 
carry out the programme which had been arranged for them. 
Although well scattered about,.the same general direction was taken 
by all who participated in the excursion. 
The leadership of the geological party was undertaken by 
Messrs. W. F. Kealing Stock, F.C.S., and J. I’Anson, J.P., both of 
_ Darlington, while the general body of naturalists was under the 
direction of Mr. J. G. Brass, in whom the Barnard Castle neighbour- 
hood possesses an efficient and accomplished all-round investigator. 
Clear of the town, the right bank of the Tees was taken, the 
geologists keeping to the water’s edge in order to examine the bed of 
the river, and the other members following the road to Thorsgill, 
which the bryologists made the scene of their operations. ‘ Egli- 
ston’s grey ruins’ stand at this point, and the various loose stones 
lying within its once sacred walls claimed the attention of the 
-conchologists and others. Looking across the Tees from this point 
one could not but admire the palatial aspect of the Bowes Museum, 
erected and endowed by the late Mr. and Mrs. John Bowes for the 
inhabitants of Barnard Castle. The building erected at a cost stated 
at ‘half a million,’ was formally opened on June the roth, twenty years 
after the laying of the foundation stone. 
With the too brilliant sunshine and over-bearing heat as the only 
_ drawbacks to the otherwise delightful stroll, the way was continued 
-over Manyfold Beck, until Rokeby Park was reached with its mag- 
snificent trees and truly welcome shade. 
Naturalist, 
