REPORT OF MEETINGS FOR 1903 27 



On the arrival of the train from the West, the party, under 



the guidance of Mr J. G. Goodchild, F.G.S., 

 Black Hill, set out for the Black Hill, the route lying 



through the home-farm of Cowdenknowes, and 

 along an easy grass-grown path on the North side, where 

 Parsley Fern (Allosorus crispus) was found in great abundance. 

 After a pleasant ascent in bright sunshine, and with a Westerly 

 breeze which added greatly to the comfort of the pedestrians, 

 and secured for them a magnificent view of the surrounding 

 country, the summit was reached, and breathing space obtained 

 to distinguish the points of interest presented in the extensive 

 panorama which lay unfolded before them. Here, at a 

 conveniently (sheltered spot, and in full vipw of rlip vidi 

 valley of the Tweed, Mr Goodchild explained the similarity 

 of structure existing in the Black Hill and the Eildons, 

 laying stress (as he had done on the occasion of the first 

 meeting this year) upon the fact, that a continuous sheet 

 of Trachyte of an intrusive character had made its way 

 through the overlying but softer formation of Sandstone, 

 and had supplied it with a cover, possessing greater power 

 of resistance to the atmosphere, which had preserved from 

 waste the several peaks that form such notable features in 

 the surrounding landscape. 



A move was then made in the direction of the Old Red 



Sandstone Quarry on the South side of the hill, 

 Red where operations have for a time come to a 



Sandstone standstill. Here, again, Mr Goodchild afforded 

 Quarry. a full and lucid description of the nature and 



origin of this interesting formation. The pre- 

 vailing stone in the quarry is said to be fairly typical, being 

 red, and a true sandstone. It belongs to the Upper Old Eed, 

 in contra-distinction to an older stone to bo found on the 

 Cheviots and near St. Abb's Head, and assumed its present 

 station in the following way. At an earlier period the British 

 Isles stood higher than at the present time, making it possible 

 for continental rather than insular conditions to prevail. 

 In consequence the rainfall was not so great ; and rock was 

 formed in an arid climate, which admitted of the generation 

 of little animal life. Great sandbanks were continually being 

 driven by the wind and entrapped in shallow sheets of water, 



