160 pbesident's address. 



destination. After a short consultation in the village the bulk of 

 the party visited some limestone quarries on their way to Ay don 

 Castle. Large crushed specimens of Productus giganteus and nu- 

 merous fragments of a Fenestella were the most conspicuous fossils 

 found. The usual spring flowers were in full bloom and great 

 luxuriance in the sheltered and wooded burns. Aydon Castle 

 stands on the north side of a deep ravine, near the edge of a 

 tremendous precipice; this situation being chosen probably for 

 defence, as the whole building bears the character of a Border 

 Keep, and is fortified on the land side by a double wall of defence 

 of great thickness, the outer wall no dqubt being intended for the 

 protection of cattle. The Wallflower, Greater Celandine, and 

 Wall Pellitory were growing abundantly on many parts of the 

 castle. After a short visit by some of the members to see some 

 curious remains in the interior, the party wended their way, 

 under the shelter of well-grown trees, chiefly Ash, to Halton 

 Chesters, which is an old Peel Tower converted into a modern 

 residence, the situation commanding a fine view to the south 

 and along the course of the Tyne far to the west. A heavy hail- 

 storm had passed along the ridge in the early morning, covering 

 the ground an inch or more in depth, but though thundering 

 heavily down the Tyne, the party experienced only a passing 

 shower, and in the afternoon the sun shone out in full power. 



Most of the party, after visiting the small Eoman Station of 

 Halton Chesters, followed the line of the Military Eoad to Stag- 

 shawbank ; others crossed by footpath to have a look at the Ken- 

 nels of the Tynedale Hunt, and were as much interested and 

 delighted by the sight of so many fine hounds, through the cour- 

 tesy of Mr. Cornish, as if they had been sportsmen as well as 

 naturalists. The ferns and flowers cultivated here were also of 

 much interest. Descending the steep bank from Stagshaw a 

 beautiful view was obtained of the surrounding country, covered 

 with well-grown trees, now in early spring leaf. The avenue of 

 Limes at Stagshaw House, lit up by the evening sun, was seen 

 to perfection. About forty members sat down to dinner at the 

 Angel Inn, after which five gentlemen were elected members. 

 As the evening was very fine many of the party strolled about 



