S. A. ADAMSON : AMONGST THE YORKSHIRE OOLITES. 1 79 



of coralline oolite at the Pye Pits Quarry, close to the town, was next 

 visited. This has long been famous as a hunting-ground for fossils, 

 and on this occasion its reputation was kept up by some good dis- 

 coveries, comprising teeth of fishes, a large belemnite, some fine 

 Chemnitzia^ Livia, etc. A very short distance from this quarry occurs 

 a gravel pit, to which the party was conducted. This is a section of 

 the dry river valley which bisects the town of Malton. Its materials 

 have evidently been produced by the denudation of the adjacent 

 oolitic hills, being composed of water-worn ooHtic pebbles of various 

 sizes and sand. The latter, being examined by a lens, could be seen 

 to be largely made up of the characteristic oolitic grains. This sec- 

 tion contained perhaps the finest example of current bedding it has 

 ever been the fortune of the members to behold ; it certainly should 

 be photographed. Another interesting matter connected with this 

 section is that an old flint implement (a Celt) was found here in situ, 

 so that, as has been said, it is possible that palaeolithic man may 

 have seen the river flow on the west side of the Roman Camp. 



The museum of the Malton Field Naturalists' Society was then in- 

 inspected. The most notable and perfect specimens of the fossils of the 

 district had been most carefully worked out, named, and classified by 

 the indefatigable curator, Mr. S. Chadwick. It seemed incredible that 

 such a splendid collection could be accomplished by one individual, 

 but it is the result of years of unremitting and persevering labour. 

 To recount the beautiful and typical specimens of the life-history of 

 the Malton district in oolitic and cretaceous times, as here presented 

 to us, would occupy much space, but a few should be specially 

 named. A fine set of fossil fruit from the Malton quarries, exhibiting 

 very distinctly the general character of fruit, both in the kernel, shell, 

 and outer rind ; they have been named Carpoliihes miicus. The 

 Aptychus (or operculum) of AmvioniUs perarmatus \ this is peculiarly 

 valuable, being seldom met with in situ ; some rare ammonites, from 

 the lower calcareous grit ; a fine set of Neocomian or Speeton clay 

 fossils, so difficult to obtain; a set of palatal teeth of Gyrodus\ a large 

 set oiLima peciiniforniis \ a number of fine examples of that beautiful 

 fossil, Cidaris florigenwia ; a large specimen of Pygiirus hazisvianni ; 

 a splendid set of corals ; a rare collection of fossil sponges ; bones 

 and teeth of Saurians, etc., etc. In addition to these unique and 

 invaluable geological specimens, the museum contains also a fine 

 botanical collection by Mr. Slater, prehistoric remains, minerals, 

 coins, recent shells, British marine birds, and birds of prey, etc. 

 Such a remarkable museum should receive the attention and obtain 

 the support of every inhabitant of Malton ; it should be esteemed 

 the pride and glory of the town. The members then proceeded to 



June 1887. 



