1910-1911.] 



457 



Twentieth Legion stationed there ; and it was not long after this 

 that the construction of the temples, baths, and other public 

 buildings began. The first city wall was built by the Romans, 

 and was doubtless of earth and turf. Nevertheless, historians 

 agreed that it was probable that the Romans ultimately con- 

 structed stone walls. Such probability was confirmed in 1908 

 when a portion of the Roman stone wall was unearthed. The 

 Romans having departed about the year 400 and Britain having 

 again fallen into a state of semi-barbarism, Chester, a courted 

 spot, seems to have been occupied in turn by the Romano- 

 Britons, the Saxons, and the Danes. The latter, however, only 

 retained occupation for a short period, for the city was restored 

 to the Saxons by the valiant Ethelfleda, daughter of Alfred the 

 Great, and wife of Ethelred, Duke of Mercia. Passing briefly 

 over the mediaeval history of the city up to the time of the civil 

 wars, the lecturer proceeded to show his audience some of the 

 more interesting sights of Chester by the aid of a large series of 

 excellent lantern slides, some of which were kindly lent for the 

 occasion by Messrs. Frank Simpson and Alfred Newstead, of 

 Chester, to whom the lecturer tendered his best thanks. After 

 examining the city walls and gates, with their numerous historical 

 relics, a short tour of the city itself was made, and views of the 

 Cathedral, the Castle, the " rows," and the quaint sixteenth and 

 seventeenth century timbered houses having been put on the screen, 

 Mr. Stendall concluded with a short account of the Grosvenor 

 Museum and some of its finest exhibits. A discussion followed, 

 in which the President, Dr. Dwerryhouse, and Messrs. Cunningham 

 and May took part. The lecturer having briefly replied to several 

 questions, a very successful meeting was brought to a close. 



During the "Science Gossip Half-Hour" preceding the 

 meeting, Mr. Joseph Maxwell, J. P., reported the discovery of a 

 rare Rotifer, Stcphanoceros eichornii, in a pond at Longhurst, 

 Dunmurry, Co. Antrim, the residence of Mr. John Brown, F.R.S. 



