president's address. 189 



situated on the east side of a short valley below Pateley Bridge. 

 These rocks are certainly the most remarkable piece of natural 

 scenery in the neighbourhood, and perhaps unequalled, as natural 

 rock-carving, in any part of England. Elevated nearly a thousand 

 feet above the sea, their situation commands an extensive and 

 fine view of the vale of York. These immense, solitary, quaint, 

 and grotesque pillars fill the observer with awe and astonish- 

 ment at the variety of forms, the rude resemblances to animated 

 creatures, and lead to the enquiry, How were these shapes 

 made ? Who or what has fashioned these grotesque masses of 

 coarse grit ? Are they artificial or natural ? 



Many of the members agreed to spend the second day at 

 Pateley, and it was arranged to visit the Stump-Cross Caverns, 

 at Drygill, on the "Watershed of "Wharfdale. The start was 

 made on foot to Bewerley Hall, "White Wood, and Bavensgill, a 

 deep, well-wooded glen, on the south side of the valley, opposite 

 Pateley. There was an interesting climb of a couple of hours 

 along well-kept walks, amid lofty trees. Enchanter's Night- 

 shade, St. John's Worts, Heather Bells, Bleaberries, and many 

 other autumnal flowers greeted the wayfarers till the elevated 

 edge of the moor was reached, and we strode along among deep 

 heather, enjoying a most extensive view over the central valley 

 and central moorlands of Yorkshire. A passing shower had 

 freshened up everything, and left the enjoyment of a bright sun 

 and a breezy west wind, while the view round embraced the top 

 of Great Whernside on the west and York Minster on the south- 

 east. Shortly after we left the masses of sandstones and grits 

 that we had been travelling over, lost the heather entirely, and 

 came upon a track of country all limestone and grass-covered, 

 the gentle westerly breeze modifying the sun's rays, and giving 

 great enjoyment to the scenery as we paced along, through 

 neatly -kept mining villages, over hill and dale to the Watershed 

 of Wharfdale. Arriving at the entrance of the Stump-Cross 

 Cavern the majority of the members alighted, and having donned 

 some miners' uniforms proceeded to explore the sights of this 

 remarkable cave, of which Dr. Embleton has kindly furnished 

 the following interesting description. 



