10 peesident's address. 



the deep course of the Irthing was once more enjoyed, as on the 

 last visit of the Club in 1885. Afterwards a long stroll was 

 made along the line of wall towards Coombe Crag, but time did 

 not permit of a visit to that romantic spot. During this ramble 

 successful search was made for small boulders of Criffell granite, 

 which are spread rather abundantly over the country round 

 Gilsland, especially on the moorlands north of the hotel, wherever 

 diggings have been made through the surface soil. Numerous 

 specimens were found built into the walls bordering the roads. 

 In connection with these boulders which have been transported 

 from Dumfriesshire and South Scotland may be noticed the very 

 red sand, which is to be seen in nearly all the sections on the 

 banks of the Irthing, and which is sometimes of great thickness, 

 and must have been derived from the red sandstone district of 

 the flat country between Carlisle and the Solway. These deep- 

 coloured sands appear not to have extended across the watershed 

 into the Tyne Valley drainage, but to be limited to the west 

 side of the watershed. Occasionally small boulders of the Criffel 

 granite are found in the Tyne, and some of its main branches, 

 but are rare as compared to the Irthing Valley. This western 

 drift must be one of the newest alluvial deposits, as the boulders 

 are found close to the surface, and immediately under the vege- 

 table and peat soils. At dinner the members joined the visitors 

 staying at the Shaw's Hotel, as no special meal could be pro- 

 vided, and afterwards they quietly walked to the Eosehill Station 

 in time for the last train to Newcastle. No great discoveries 

 were made, and no new observations were recorded by the wan- 

 derers over this well-trod and well-visited track, but much fresh 

 balmy air was inhaled, much pleasant social conversation was 

 indulged in, and the acquaintance with well-known spots and 

 common wild flowers and ferns were en joy ably and almost joy- 

 ously renewed under the bright blue sky and the balmy air of 

 the moorland watering place. 



Our Sixth and last Field Meeting took place at Cress well 

 and Newbiggin, on Thursday, October 14. Leaving Newcastle 

 by the 8.20 train we arrived at "VViddrington Station about 9.30. 



