.284 



NOTE — PALAEONTOLOGY. 



At the recent annual meeting of- the Leeds Geological Association, the report 

 showed that another year of usefulness and prosperity had been passed through. 

 The interest taken by the members in the work of the association had been fully 

 maintained. The membership showed an unprecedented increase, the numbers 

 on the roll being fifty per cent, more than they were a year ago. The meetings 

 for the reading of papers, the exhibitions of specimens, and the excursions had 

 all been most practical in their character, the most notable feature in the latter 

 being the local excursions in the Lower Coal Measures, conducted so efficiently by 

 Mr. Holgate, F. G. S. , who, from his special knowledge, imparted much informa- 

 tion to those attending. The past year had also been a memorable one by the 

 issue of the first part of the 'Transactions,' the work having received the approval 

 of the most distinguished geologists in the country. Interchanges of proceedings 

 are now made with kindred learned societies, thus enabling the members to 

 be acquainted with geological progress and research in other districts. It was 

 also felt that the association had now attained such a standing, when, to its further 

 advancement, a class of honorary members might be instituted, consisting of 

 eminent geologists and individuals who have rendered the association signal ser- 

 vices. A resolution to this effect was carried, and Professors Green and Miall, of 

 Leeds, the Rev. E. M. Cole, of Wetwang, and Mr. Wm. Horne, of Leyburn, were 

 duly elected honorary members. The election of the Executive for the coming 

 year resulted as follows: — President, Mr. C. D. Hardcastle ; Vice-presidents, 

 Messrs. J. E. Bedford, T. W. Bell, W. Cheetham, and B. Holgate, F.G.S.; 

 Treasurer, Mr. J. H. Bromley; Librarian, Mr. C Brownridge, F.G.S. ; Council, 

 Professor Green, F.R.S., Dr. Monckman, Messrs. C. Brownridge, F.G.S., and 

 W. II. Gill, and Aid. John Hill, of Morley ; Hon. Secretary, S. A. Adamson, F.G.S., 

 52. Wellclose Terrace, Leeds (re-elected third time). 



NO TE — PA LJE ONTOL O G Y. 



The Fossil Tree at Clayton. — In the account last month of this re- 

 markable fossil, a material error arose in the dimensions given, by the unfortunate 

 omission of two ciphers in the manuscript. The error, however, was too obvious 

 not to escape immediate notice. The area given of the ramifications of the stig- 

 marian roots was said to be 'between 80 feet and 90 feet'; of course, it should 

 have been 'from 800 feet to 900 feet.' The measurement across this area from 

 N. to S. is 29 ft. 6 in., and from E. to W. 28 ft., giving a superficial area exposed 

 of 826 ft. Since last issue the following careful measurements have been obtained, 

 which will give some idea of this colossal tree : — 



Height of stump ... ... ... ... ... ... 3 ft. 9 in. 



Diameter of stump (longest axis) .'. ... ... 4 ft. 6 in. 



,, ,, (at right angles to longest axis) ... 3 ft. 10 in. 



Root. 



Diameter 



Distance from 



Distance from point 



of bifurcation to 



Greatest 



close 



stump to point 



present termination of root. 



Length of 



No. 



to stump. 



of bifurcation. 



Right Fork. 



Left Fork. 



Root. 



I ... 



21 in. 



... 4 ft. 



.. 9 ft. 6 in. ... 



13 ft. 



17 ft. 



2 ... 



17,1 „ 



... 4,, 



.. 8„ 



6 ,, 6 in. 



12 ,, 



3 ••• 



16 „ 



... 5 „ 



-■• 7 „ 



4,, 



12 ,, 



4 ... 



16 



... 4 ,, 



. 2 ,, 



4 ,, 6 in. ... 



8 ,, 6 in. 



5 ••• 



17! » 



■■7,, 



.. 1 ,, 6 in. 



3 •>•> 



10 „ 



6 ... 



18 „ 



... 5 ,, 6 in. . 



3 55 



4 ,, 6 in. 



10 ,, 



7 — 



17 „ 



... 7 „ 6 „ . 



• 3 



2 ,, 



10 6 in. 



8 ... 



17 „ 



... 7 „ 



. 9 ,, 6 in. 



7 „ 



16 „ 6 „ 



The proprietors of the quarry have most carefully and admirably built the two 

 damaged roots into position, so that the unique spectacle is now presented of a 

 huge Sigillarian stump sending out eight forked Stigmarian roots. They will let it 

 remain in its present position a few weeks longer, although it stops work in that 

 part of the quarry, and certainly all geologists, at least in the North of England, 

 should see this giant of the Carboniferous flora. — S. A. Adamson, Leeds, August 

 20th, 1886. 



Naturalist, 



