YORKSHIRE NATURALISTS UNION. 



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in Beckclale, the most interesting of them being : Helleboriis viridis, Adaa 

 spicata, Fumaria pallidijlora, Parnassia pahistris, NasUirtijwi officinale var. 

 siifolhim, Gei'anhim cohimbimtm, Riibjts saxaiilis, Rosa systyla, Epilobht)>i pahistre, 

 Scabiosa columbaria, Carliiia vulgaris, Pingtiicida vulgaris, Anagallis fenella, 

 Gyvinadenia conopsea, Epipactis pahistris, Blysvms compresstis, Carex siricta, C. 

 ampiillacea, and Melica nutans . Mosses were scarce, 21 species only being 

 observed, inclusive of BracJiyodtis trichodes, Philonotis calcarea, Hypmwi 

 chrysophylhun, Ettrhynchitim si ri alum, Ainblystegitwi confervoides, Fissidens 

 pusilhcs and Limnobium pahtstre. Fungi were tolerably abundant and some 

 unusual forms occurred, the 25 named including Pliiieiis chrysopha:us, Entoloma- 

 nido)'osus, RiisstUa heterophydla, R. vitellina, Gomphidins stillatus, Eccilia 

 carneogrisetis, Crepidohis mollis, Polyporus varius, Bolehis satanas and B. Jlaviis, 

 the last-named being very abundant. 



For the Geological section, of which both the secretaries were present, one of 

 them, the Rev. E. Maule Cole, M.A., vicar of Wetwang, reported to the following 

 effect : — The section, under the guidance of the Rev. E. Maule Cole, M.A., who 

 was accompanied by the Rev. C. N. Gray, M.A., vicar of Helmsley, started from 

 the Market Cross a little before noon for Sproxton Quarry. The route chosen was 

 along the terrace in front of Duncombe House to the Mill on the Rye — beautiful 

 views of the valley carved out by this moorland stream being obtained from time to 

 time, as well as glimpses of the Tabular Hills and Vale of Pickering. On reaching 

 the quarry at Sproxton, the beds of Coral Rag and Coralline Oolite were pointed 

 out. The old faces of both presented a most beautiful arabesque appearance from 

 the effects of weathering ; innumerable fossils, clued together into a hard solid mass, 

 showed on the surface exquisite forms of sculpture such as no chisel could give. 

 Hammers and chisels were brought into requisition, but so hard and firm was the 

 rock that specimens were only obtained with great difficulty. Amongst these were 

 several kinds of Corals, such as Thainnastriva and Thecosmilia, some very large 

 spines of Cidaris Jiorigemnid, a Trigonia, Lima, and the ubiquitous C/u-ninitzia. In 

 places the rock consisted largely of crystallised carbonate of lime. Few quarries are 

 so interesting and deserving of a visit as the Sproxton Quarry. Leaving this, the 

 party proceeded through some charming woodland scenery amidst bracken seven and 

 eight feet high in which crouched the red deer, to what are called the ' windy pits.' 

 The surface is occupied by the middle calcareous grit, the same formation which 

 appears on the moors just above Thornton, and which forms Filey Brig. This 

 bed weathers into sand — all the lime being washed out. Underneath lies a series of 

 limestones which are in places dissolved by the rainfall, and the sand on the surface 

 then slips down and forms a cujD-shaped hollow. These hollows are frequent in 

 this formation and have been mistaken for ancient British dwellings, &c., but they 

 are quite natural. At the ' windy pits ' the dissolving action of the rainfall has 

 excavated a deep narrow chasm, which possibly extends to the bed of the stream 

 below, and that at no distant period — at all events the surface has only recently 

 fallen in, as the roots of a living tree extend right across the open fissure without 

 any support. No information could be obtained as to why the pits were called 

 ' windy.' It was stated as a tradition that a dug was once put in at the top, and 

 came out at the bottom, which on the whole is more probable than that a dog was 

 put in at the bottom and came out at the top ! The rest of the way to Rievaulx 

 Abbey was again through exquisitely wild scenery where the foot of man seldom 

 disturbs the stately hei'ons, and from the terrace above a good view was obtained 

 of the characteristic Nabs which form the outer escarpment of the Tabular Hills, 

 and of the surface effects produced by the weathering of the middle Calcareous 

 grits of Wass Moor. 



For Vertebrate Zoology, in the absence of the officers of the section, Mr. 

 W. Eagle Clarke, F.L.S., of Leeds, reported to the effect that the district was a 

 rich and varied one ornithologically, and was especially interesting from its 

 possessing two of the most local species of Yorkshire birds — the Pied Flycatcher 

 and the Nuthatch — in considerable numbers. Unfortunately the section had been 

 very inadequately represented, and consequently but a meagre list was the result 

 of the ramble. This comprised eight summer visitants and nineteen residents, and 

 included both the species above mentioned. Among the mammalia, a Water Vole, 

 caught in Beckdale, was exhibited at the meeting. 



Sept. 1884. 



