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YORKSHIRE NATURALISTS AT WYKEHAM, 

 NEAR SCARBOROUGH. 



JOHN WADDINGTON, 

 Leeds; Hon. Librarian to the Yorkshire Naturalists' Union, 



The second excursion of the Yorkshire Naturalists' Union for 

 this year took place on Saturday, 22nd June 1901, and the many- 

 pleasures in connection with the meeting- and the Union's visit to 

 Wykeham and the neigh bouring- valleys of Yedmandale, Beedale, 

 and Sawdondale will not soon be forgotten. 



A party left Scarborough about 10.30 a.m. in a char-a-banc, 

 consisting of the main body of naturalists, the geologists having- 

 made a start from Seamer Junction. On reaching Ayton the 

 botanists, under the guidance of Mr. M. B. Slater, F.L.S., 

 and Mr. C. Waterfall, proceeded up Yedmandale, over Hutton 

 Bushel Moor, across the head of Beedale, and down Sawdon- 

 dale, and had a most enjoyable outing. The i finds ' were 

 many, if not of great importance, particulars of which will 

 be found in the botanical report. The entomologists went 

 forward to Wykeham and from there to Beedale. 



There is a charm hanging over this valley. It is a place 

 away from the busy world. With the exception of an occasional 

 woodman it seems deserted. But of bird life there is plenty. 

 Rabbits abounded, and everything that is dear to the heart of 

 the true naturalist is to be found here. 



Before entering Beedale we had a pleasing ramble beside the 

 slow, peaceful stream, where at times the Kingfisher may be 

 seen in all its glory, and were soon busy on the look-out for 

 insect life. It was but a beginning of what we were to enjoy. 

 On reaching the gate that shuts off the visitor ' without per- 

 mission,' we were all delighted with the vision that met our 

 view. This valley, the grandest of the three, contains main 

 charming pictures ; but it is the first glimpse of this earthly 

 paradise that pleases most. As we wandered along, every- 

 where delightful scenes were met with, and here and there on the 

 wing- was Chelonia plantaginis. The sun was shining on the 

 hillsides, so we entered one of the glades, in order to reach 

 the slopes which tower high on each side, and had the pleasure 

 of seeing his majesty Cordulegaster annulaius and later Libellula 

 depressa. Here Argynnis paphia and A. agldia were in evidence 

 and bent on sport, and the former escaped while being shown to 

 that one-time entomologist, Mr. J. W. Taylor, who, as we all 



1901 October i. 



