280 presideivt's address. 



great beauty and of some rarity, of such may be specially men- 

 tioned the Yellow Fumitory, a beautiful flower. 



The Antiquity House, in the garden of the Chesters, was sub- 

 sequently visited, when the valuable collection of Sculptured 

 Stones, found in the excavations on the estate, were examined 

 with much interest. Two beautifully-carved life-size figures, 

 representing Cybele and Yictory, were seen. A finely-carved 

 Corinthian Capitol was also explained. Among the altars Dr. 

 Bruce drew particular attention to one which bore the inscription 

 •'To the ancient gods." This altar he instanced as evidence 

 that Christianity prevailed in the North of England during the 

 Roman occupation. He believed that several of the Romans 

 embraced the new religion, while others, who refused to accept 

 the new faith, raised altars to the " ancient gods." 



Previous to passing out of the beautiful grounds of the Chesters, 

 on the motion of your President, hearty votes of thanks were 

 accorded by acclamation to Mr. Clayton, for his kindness in al- 

 lowing the members and their friends the privilege of visiting 

 the Roman station, and to Dr. Bruce, for having acted as guide, 

 and for his lucid explanation and graphic description of the an- 

 tiquities. 



Afterwards the naturalists walked by way of Walwick Grrange, 

 "Warden, and Tyne Green to Hexham, and on the way were de- 

 lighted with the many beautiful views of the ISTorth Tyne, the 

 junction of the North and South Tynes, and of the Tyne Yalley 

 proper. The foliage of the trees was in great beauty, and the 

 forwardness of the Oak, in comparison with that of the Ash, was 

 a subject of interesting discussion, as to the occurrence being a 

 portend of a dry summer. The surmise proved correct, for the 

 rainfall of the summer of 1884 was remarkably small. The total 

 rainfall for the year 1884, as recorded at the Literary and Philo- ■ 

 sophical Institution, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, was 20*62 inches, 

 against 27'34 in the year 1883, and 29-38, the average, during 

 the decade just ended. 



An excellent tea was provided at the Royal Hotel, Hexham, 

 to which full justice was done. The usual meeting was after- 

 wards held, when five new members were duly elected. Mr. 



