284 phesident's addeuss. 



The flowering plants gathered on this visit were of the same 

 species as those recorded on our former excursion in 1880. After 

 enjoying the delightful drive back to Alston the party dined at 

 the Blue Bell, and had a long stroll in the evening through the 

 town, or rather up the hill side on which the town is built. 



It was intended on the second day to ascend by the Penrith 

 road to Hartside, and the high part of Gildersdale, but the heavy 

 clouds resting on the fells induced the party to confine their ex- 

 cursion to the valley, and after breakfast the members proceeded 

 in conveyances to Whitley Castle, a Roman station on the Maiden 

 Way, a road which is now in many parts difficult to trace, but in 

 olden times was used as a military road, extending from Green- 

 head, on the Tippalt, across Melmerby Pell (2,000 feet), to Xirk- 

 land and the Eden Valley. Before reaching the Castle permission 

 was obtained to examine a Roman Altar standing in a garden by 

 the road side, but it was found to be so much defaced that it 

 is impossible to give any particulars respecting the inscription. 

 The mound on which the camp is situated is surrounded with 

 five or six very deep trenches on the west side. The eastern 

 and south side form a steep escarpment towards the valley. The 

 interior is of considerable extent, but is crossed by a modern 

 stone wall, which spoils the view. Looking south from the 

 camp the Roman road or track was seen crossing the side of 

 Gildersdale Porest in an oblique direction. The weather improv- 

 ing the party strolled over Whitley Common, and then along 

 the Thornhope Burn to Slaggyford, a hamlet on the South Tyne, 

 whether so named from the frequency of slag on the sides of 

 the neighbouring fell we know not. The Globe Ranunculus . 

 was still in fine flower, and many of. the Orchids were also in 

 rich bloom, in these upland dales, and the Hawthorn was in 

 rich luxuriance by the roads and streams. After an early dinner 

 the party walked to the Nent Porce, and then to the railway 

 station. Leaving Alston and fine evening sunshine the gloom 

 and heavy rain of the lower Tyne was soon encountered. The 

 recollections, however, of Alston and Cross Pell are too strong 

 to be soon forgotten, 



