i8 



YORKSHIRE NATURALISTS' UNION. 



Home and Whitwell for acting as guides during the day, the reports of the 

 Sections on the day's investigations were given. 



The Entomological section was first on the list, and the Rev. G. P. Harris 

 reported, he and Messrs. J. H. Rowntree and B. Illingworth having taken charge 

 of the section in the absence of its officers. Very little had been done, the list of 

 captures including Pieris hrassiccE, P. rapce^ P. napi, males of Anthocharis 

 ca-rdaviijies, Vanessa tirtica, V. Atalanta, 'V. cardiii^ Chortobius Paniphiliis, 

 LyccEiia Alexis, Vanessa lo (lan-£ej, MelaJiippe montanata (common), Coremia 

 miinitafa (onej, Hepiahis hechis (pupa-shells), and H. hnvudi (plentiful). The 

 vicar stated that Vemcsia cambricaria was not uncommon near Hawes, though he 

 hr.d not taken it of recent years. 



The secretary of the Botanical section, Mr. P. F. Lee, of Dewsbury, reported 

 the observations of the various parties who had visited Mill Gill Force, Askrigg, 

 Semei-water, Gayledale, &c. Owing to the excessive heat of the day, and the 

 general dryness of the season, the sphagnums and mosses presented little but 

 dried -up remains, while the flowering plants and fenis too seemed to hide away 

 in the more exposed situations. The charm, though, of the rare and varied flora 

 of the margin of Semer water, and of the banks of the stream from there down to 

 Bainbridge, made ample amends for any short-comings of the other districts visited 

 during the day. By the lake side were Ranu7iadits ccnspiiosiis (the mud form of 

 R. aqitatilis), Polygonum vivipariivi, Solix phylicifolia (the tea-leaved willow), 

 Carex acuta, Pri77mla farinosa. and Blysmiis cojupressiis. The best among the 

 many good things bagged at the other parts of this alpine district, were — 

 Trollius eicropmis, Actcea spicata, Viola arenaria, Cardainine aniara, Stellaria 

 nemornm, Gemn intermedium. Saxifraga aizoides, Galium sylvestre., Cardims 

 keterophylhis, Melica nutans, and Aspleniicm viride. Altogether 238 species 

 were noted. Mr. F. Arnold Lees stated that during the past day or two he had 

 observed about 250 plants in bloom or fruit in the district, and he considered the 

 number just given a fair day's work. He also said that Viola arenaria had 

 been discovered by him a little while ago, and that it was new to Yorkshire. 

 [Since the excursion, Mr. Lees has verified the occurrence of ' Melampyruiyi 

 syhaticiim L. on south-west side of Whitfield Gill, above the main fall']. 



Mr. J. E. Wilson, of Bradford, secretary of the Geological section, reported 

 on the geological observations made during the day. 



For Vertebrate Zoolog}', Mr. James Backhouse, junr., of York, secretary of 

 the section, stated that most of the birds found nesting by Mr. F. Arnold Lees, 

 and mentioned in the programme of the meeting, were observed wich one or two 

 exceptions, the actual numbers being 29 resident species and 16 summer 

 migrants. Of the former the Dipper, Grey Wagtail, Red Grouse, Curlew, and 

 Golden Plover may be mentioned, and the Redstart, Whinchat, Ring Ousel (nesting). 

 Lesser Whitethroat, and Sandpiper of the latter. An interesting spectacle was 

 witnessed by several members in the stream below Whitfield Gill force, a Mole 

 being observed swimming across the water at only some two or three feet from 

 the spectators, who watched its movements for some time. The only reptile of 

 note was the Viviparous Lizard, seen in the Buttertubs Pass. 



In the absence of the officers of the Conchological section, Mr. W. Denison 

 Roebuck, F.L.S., Leeds, reported on the observations made by himself and by 

 Messrs. Baker Hudson, and William Coates, of Middlesbrough. The total 

 number of forms observed was 23 species and 3 varieties ; two species being 

 additions to the recorded fauna of Upper Wensleydale. These were Limax Icevis, 

 Whitfield Gill, and Picpa marginata, found by Mr. Hudson close to Hawes 

 Church. The smallness of the number seen was due to the intensely hot and dry 

 character of the day (and season, for next to no rain had fallen for three months) ; 

 though, as regards this, it was somewhat curious to note that of specially damp- 

 loving forms Limax Icevis. new to the list, was found, and Z. arbortim was common 

 in Whit Gill, a locality where it had not before been noticed ; several other kinds 

 of si ugs occurred, and also Sjiccinea piitris and Zonites fulviis. The other species 

 worthy of mention were Helix sericea, Claiisilia lamSnata, C. diibia^ and Cochlicopa 

 tridens, all found at Aysgarth by Messrs. Hudson and Coates, and Anodonta 

 ajiauna, brought by Mr. F. Arnold Lees from Semerwater. A vote of thanks to 

 the chairman concluded the meeting. — W. D. R., W. E. C. 



Naturalist, 



