20 Gibbs : Yorkshire Naturalists' Union at Masham. 



Since this report on Botany was drawn up Mr. J. F. Pickard 

 informs me that, on going over his plants with Mr. F. Arnold 

 Lees, he finds that Festuca sylvatica Vill. was among- the plants 

 of Birk Gill. It was growing- sparingly on the steep left bank 

 under the rocks, and as it is not recorded by Mr. Baker, it is an 

 interesting- addition to the North Riding Flora. 



Mr. Crossland's report for the Mycological Section is 

 included in his article on the ' Fung-i of Masham and Swinton ' 

 in the present number of ' The Naturalist.' This course has 

 been rendered necessary by the fortunate circumstance that two 

 local men — Messrs. Forbes and Thwaites — were found who at 

 once showed a keen and intelligent interest in the subject, and 

 carried on their investigations through the autumn with the 

 very creditable result shown in Mr. Crossland's article. 



Mr. T. Sheppard, F.G.S., secretary of the Geolog-ical Section, 

 writes : — ' Owing- probably to the fact that the district chosen 

 for this excursion is not particularly attractive from a collector's 

 point of view, the geologists were but meagrely represented, 

 and the few who were present decided to join the ' general 

 body' of naturalists. To say that the district was uninteresting, 

 geologically, would be inaccurate, as many features were met 

 with on the ramble which were of great interest to the 

 hammer-men. There are a few impure seams of coal in the 

 neighbourhood, and judging from the recently formed refuse 

 heaps, some of these are still being worked. Birk Gill proved 

 a charming locality, and in the shales exposed on its sides were 

 ripple-marks, rain-pittings, and sun-cracks. The hammer, 

 however, was but little required, and for once the geologists 

 had light loads to bring home. 



The proceedings closed with the usual sectional and general 

 meetings, at the latter of which Mr. G. T. Porritt, F.L.S., 

 presided, and 14 societies were represented. Two new 

 members were elected, Mr. Wm. Forbes (Swinton) and Mr. 

 Charles Harvey Colmar (Pickering); and the usual votes of 

 thanks were accorded, and one of condolence with the relatives 

 of the late Mr. John Burton, of Altofts, an old and valued 

 member. 



The weather throughout the excursion was fine, though 

 dull and cool, the accommodation was excellent, the meeting 

 as the reports show was a profitable one as regards the 

 work done, and all left with pleasant recollections of Masham 

 in August 1 90 1. 



Naturalist, 



