YORKSHIRE NATURALISTS AT BLUBBERHOUSES. 



381 



ovatuhcs Clairv., Telephorus testacetis L., T. bicolor YdJo., T. riifiis L., T. pallidus 

 Fab., Cryptohypmis riparius Fab., and Aleligethcs ccneiis Fab. All these species 

 have, of course, been hitherto unrecorded for the dale, the list in August 1883 

 embracing the names of but four, all very conspicuous or common species. ] 



For the Botanical section its Phanerogamic secretary, Mr. P. V. Lee of 

 Dewsbury, stated that to the late period of the year alone must the botanists' 

 comparatively meagre list of observations be attributed. Out of a total number 

 of 89 species of flowering plants and ferns, the following may be put down as 

 .the best: — Corydalis claviculata DC, Rosa villosa sub-sp. R. mollis Sm., Rosa 

 canina var. siibcristaia, Bidens tripartita L., Sonc/ms oleracens L., Evipetriim 

 nigrtiin L., Salix pentandra L., Nephrodiimi oreopteris Desv., and Polypodium 

 dryopteris L. On the moorland one plant of white heather was found. Scabiosa 

 siiccisa and Campanula rotimdifolia were also gathered with white flowers. Lord 

 Walsingham brought to the sectional meeting a good collection of dried plants 

 characteristic of the neighbourhood. 



The Rev. Wm. Fowler, M.A., of Liversedge, then reported upon the fungi 

 which had been seen during the day, stating that about 30 species had been observed, 

 among which were Agaricus riitilaiis A. wiibelliferiis Rtissiila nigricans; R. 

 adtista; Boletus scaber ; and B. chrysenteron; also unusually fine specimens of 

 Lactarius rnfus, and of Peziza aw^antia with its bi-nucleate spores. 



For the Geological section the report was given by Mr. S. A. Adamson, F.G.S., 

 of Leeds, one of its secretaries. Restated that on arrival at Blubberhouses, the 

 geologists united with the general body of membei-s, under the genial and 

 experienced guidance of Lord Walsingham, and struck off at once on the Kex Gill 

 Road. They had been particularly anxious to see some evidence of the great 

 anticlinal which is a continuation of the one from Skipton, throwing up the Yore- 

 dale series with the Kinder Scout Grits dipping from them on the sides. The axis 

 of this anticlinal passes probably near Bolton Bridge, and continues under Beamsley 

 Moors, following pretty nearly the line of the high road to Blubberhouses ; it 

 continues eastward to Harrogate, and from the geological disturbance caused there 

 by the Yoredale shales being pushed up is due the medicinal value of the Harrogate 

 waters. The road passed through a deep romantic gorge, the result of a split in the 

 grit rocks from the anticlinal, and since widened by denudation. The rugged 

 escarpments on each side of the Kinder Scout Grit were very noticeable. The rocks 

 were weathered out in some places into strange masses, some grim, others fantastic, 

 one huge mass standing out in bold relief, like a gigantic bastion defending the 

 valley. In other places the ravine is strewn with masses of the rock, detached 

 from above. Evidence of the anticlinal was seen in the locality by the dip of the 

 beds sharply to the south-east on one side of the valley, and in a short time on the 

 other side, they were noticed to dip in the opposite direction. In this gorge, too, 

 were observed some workings, where, by means of adits, the Yoredale limestone is 

 reached. A short stay was made at a small quarry, where men were working for 

 road-stone, a bed of calcareous grit, an intermediate in the Lower Kinder Scouts. 

 This grit was immediately overlaid by a bed of black micaceous shale ; in a 

 specimen of this, which Mr. F. W. Branson obtained, were noticed some scales of 

 the fossil fish Acrolepis. Lord Walsingham now led the way over the Moors, rich 

 with heather bloom, to the bold escarpment of the Kinder Scout Grits overhanging 

 Redshaw Gill. The rocks here presented a remarkable similarity in their wild and 

 rugged appearance, arising from the same natural causes, to those at Brimham. 

 A ponderous 'rocking stone,' easily caused to oscillate by the application of one 

 man's strength, was pointed out, also a cavity caused by weathering, named the 

 ' Punch Bowl.' Mr. J. E. Bedford here pointed out the furrows down the sides of 

 sofne of the larger masses, the result also of weathering. Similar flutings down 

 the sides of the ' Devil's Arrows,' near Boroughbridge, had caused at the time 

 some discussion, the antiquarians then insisting they were artificially made, the 

 geologists referring them to natural agencies. An inspection of these similar 

 markings to-day proved that the latter opinion was right. A descent was then 

 niade down the precipitous side of the gill and continued into the Washburn 

 Valley, and along thence to Lord Walsingham's country seat. Mr. J. W. 

 Davis, F.G.S., Halifax, supplemented Mr. Adamson's remarks, speaking upon the 

 principal geological features of the district, and expressing his satisfaction that the 

 section had been so practically conducted. 

 Nov. 1885. 



