I\Er0RTS OF SoniETIES. 



217 



which was left about a quarter before ten. Arrived at Scarthingwell 

 Park, the members were met by the Hon. H. C. Maxwell-Stuart, J. P., 

 and two of his sons, who spared nothing that lay in their power to pro- 

 mote the enjoyment of the members. Some of the party elected to take 

 an extended route northwards, under charge of Major Thompson, and 

 left the Park for Saxton Carr and the woods about Towton Spring. 

 Most of the work done on this route was botanical. From Towton 

 Spring the route lay through the wood known as Penshaw, and up the 

 valley of the Piver Cock, which is here a clear and winding and very 

 swift stream. On Towton Battle-field the remainder of the party were 

 met ; they had spent a most profitable hour in examining the superb 

 collections of foreign lepidoptera and birdskins, as well as of minerals, 

 agates, &c., which had been collected and brought home by the Hons. 

 Herbert arid Arthur Maxwell-Stuart. After this they had investigated 

 the lake by means of boats, and thence — under the able guidance of Mr. 

 B. Saynor — proceeded to the battlefield of Towton, to rejoin Major 

 Thompson's contingent, afterwards making their way to Sherburn village. 

 The Ledsham party, which had Mr. George Roberts for leader, assembled 

 at Micklefield Station in the forenoon, and included several naturalists 

 from Leeds, Wakefield, &c. After examining an extensive limestone 

 quarry near the Station the members struck into a footpath and entered 

 the Ledsham estates, permission to explore which had been granted by 

 Mr. C. W, Wheler, J. P. In the woods the blackcap, garden-warbler, 

 sedge-warbler, wood warbler, chifif-chaff, thrush, blackbird, wren, chaf- 

 finch, oxeye tit, and robin were all in song. One nest with young (black- 

 cap) was found. Search for shells was not 23roductive, the soil and 

 vegetation being too dry. The site of the " Beacon" was passed, also the 

 lodge mentioned by Thoresby as having been built about 1680. Passing 

 across the park and the great beech avenue which Lord Strafibrd is said 

 to have planted about 1620, the lane was then followed to Ledsham, and 

 the woods were again entered. At Ledsham was found a new station for 

 Clematis vitalba, and Posa pimpinellifolia was observed growing in the 

 Park. In the wood was found a wild gooseberry growing on the top of 

 an isolated rock. Here were also found Clausilia rugosa,, Bulimus 

 obscurus. Helix rufescens, and H, rotundata. The Beacon was again 

 approached, and after a parting look at the glorious sylvan scenery of 

 Ledsham, the party crossed the Selby road and made towards Sherburn, 

 Near Sherburn many large specimens of the spindle-tree were noticed in 

 flower, and Erigeron acris was picked up. At Newthorpe was found a- 

 new station for the deadly nightshade (Atropa Belladonna). At Ledsham 

 swallows and martins were flying about the Church, and about a score 

 swifts were flying about Sherburn Church. Helix aspersa was found in 

 the latter churchyard, and it was noticed that some of the ash trees were 

 scarcely in leaf. The lepidopterists were in great force, most of them 

 spending the day in Bishop's Wood. The tea and meetings were all held 

 in the old Court House, adjoining the Red Bear Inn, Sherburn. The 



