president's address. 199 



made of flagstones of the same colour and material, it has at a 

 distance a cold and uninviting appearance, and the quiet lone- 

 liness of the village did not seem to promise a cheerful welcome 

 to strangers, but these external appearances were deceptive, for 

 a short rest at the inn brought forth the best cheer and the best 

 welcome that could be desired for both man and beast. 



Marrick Abbey ruins, about a mile below Reeth, and the ruins 

 of Ellerton Abbey another mile further down, built of the same 

 cold, grey sandstone, were visible from the main road, but time 

 did not permit of an inspection of the ruins of those old religious 

 dwellings, formerly the highest points of civilization in the 

 dale. Great was our enjoyment of the balmy west wind and the 

 pure air of this upland village and of our drive up the valley. 



In the evening the party started for a stroll down the river to 

 Easby, but loud peals of thunder gave warning of an approach- 

 ing storm which had been raging further down the valley, and 

 so this part of the day's excursion was soon abandoned. 



On the day following several members visited Catterick Bridge 

 and the site of the supposed Roman Station Caractonium. Yery 

 little of the site of the camp can now be traced, as it seems to be 

 all covered by the fine park of Brough Hall. After a pleasant 

 walk through the park and site of Brough Hall our route took 

 us through the village of Catterick and back to the Station by 

 the Old Roman Watling Street. It was gratifying to observe 

 a profusion of Wall-rue growing on some old walls in Catterick, 

 where it had evidently escaped the eyes of the fern collectors. 



Though at this meeting no serious scientific investigations 

 were planned or thought of, yet all the members present were 

 engaged in conversation on subjects connected with a naturalist's 

 pursuits. They were observing the natural beauties of a new 

 district and had their eyes wide open for any new feature or fact 

 that might be presented, and this is about as much as can be 

 successfully attempted or accomplished at any Field Meeting of 

 members who have no special subject, but take only a general 

 interest in natural history studies. The genial founder of Field 

 Clubs, Dr. George Johnston, never supposed or wished that more 

 than this would be accomplished at Field Meetings, not even 



