president's addkess. 191 



Each visitor was provided by the guide with a candle, and on 

 holding this behind any of the lamina; or in the interior of a 

 stalactite, they were seen to be translucent. The surfaces of all 

 were crystalline, and hence they sparkled when the candle was 

 brought near to them. When struck with a key or other small 

 instrument they gave out a musical note accordant with the 

 length and bulk of the part struck. 



The cavern bas various lateral branches probably, and extends 

 into the fossiliferous mountain-limestone much farther than the 

 present exploration has been carried. It is well worth a visit, 

 as is also the hospitable Grouse Inn of Mr. JNewboulcl, farther 

 down the road." 



Fottktb: Field Meeting. — It was arranged at the Anniversary 

 that the September meeting should be held at "Wboler, as early 

 in the month as the opening of the new line of railway from 

 Alnwick to Cornhill permitted. Friday and Saturday, the 16th 

 and 17th, were fixed for the meeting, with the intention of 

 ascending the Great Cheviot, 2,680 feet high, on the first day, 

 and Yeavering Bell, 1,180 feet high, on the day following. 

 Many of the party journeyed to Wooler, which has been described 

 as "the metropolis of the Cheviot district, but a dreary town of 

 low houses," on the preceding evening; and being joined early 

 on Friday by several ladies and gentlemen, a start was made for 

 Langleyford, near the base of the Great Cheviot. The merry 

 party drove rapidly along, by way of Earle and Middleton Hall, 

 to the foot of Careyburn, where the road enters the long valley 

 of Langley Ford and the porphyritic hills that surround the 

 base of the Great Cheviot. From this point splendid views were 

 obtained of Hedgehope and the east end of the Great Cheviot. 

 The bright sunshine and clear sky overhead seemed to promise a 

 fine day for the ascent of the mountain, which " Grey" called 

 " a landmark for Seamen, that come out of the east parts from 

 Dannick, through the Baltick Seas, and from the King of Den- 

 mark's country, it being the first land that Mariners make for 

 on the Coast of England." 



Though late in autumn, the recent rains, after a very dry 



