president's address. 181 



digging peat in a small bay on the shore and below sea-level. 

 The peat was said to be full of hazel twigs and nuts. From the 

 account given of it this peat bed would appear to be similar to 

 those which are well known to exist at Whitburn, at West Hart- 

 lepool, and Seaton Carew, and which indicate a comparatively 

 recent subsidence of the coast ; but the examinations hitherto 

 made as to their contents and relation to the Boulder Clay, 

 are not sufficient to determine whether they are pre-glacial and 

 contemporary with the sunken forests of the Norfolk coast ; or, 

 as is more probable, post-glacial, and much more recent. In 

 this case they may be indicative of a settlement still going on, 

 a probability which the continual recession of the coast-line 

 would seem to confirm. 



After dinner Mr. Tate, of Alnwick, read a paper, giving some 

 curious extracts from the Longhoughton parish register. 



The Fifth Meeting took place at Birtley and the North Tyne, 

 on the 11th of September. Owing to absence from England at 

 the time I had not the pleasure of being there ; but the members 

 had the advantage of the presidency of Dr. Bruce on the occa- 

 sion, and the meeting was most successful and largely attended. 

 The party began by renewing at Gunnerton Crags the acquaint- 

 ance formed at Dunstanbro' with the Great Whin Sill. There 

 also some ancient British camps and hut circles were pointed 

 out and explained by the Kev. G. R. Hail, of Birtley, under 

 whose valuable guidance some other British remains and ter- 

 raced slopes near Birtley were visited. The proceedings in- 

 cluded a most interesting visit to Chipchase Castle, where the 

 party was hospitably entertained by Mr. Hugh Taylor. The 

 day was concluded with dinner at Birtley ; after which Mr. 

 Hall read a valuable paper on the terraced sloped previously 

 visited. 



The Last Meeting of the Season was held as usual at Mars- 

 den, on the 4th of October. About fifty members attended. 

 After some hours agreeably spent in search among the rocks 

 or in pleasant discussion and conversation, the party pro" -'' -^ 



