209 



YORKSHIRE NATURALISTS AT ASKRIQQ, 



ioth-i2th JUNE 1905. 



A GOODLY number of Yorkshire Naturalists spent Whit week- 

 end in the beautiful district around Askrig-g, a place which is 

 not yet overrun by the ' tourist,' w^here only the more enthusiastic 

 of cyclists care to travel, and w^here, thank heaven, the motor- 

 car is only occasionally seen or smelt. 



Only those who are acquainted w'ith the North Yorkshire 

 dales and moors and gills can form any idea of the charming- 

 views w^hich were constantly before those participating in the 

 187th Meeting of the Yorkshire Naturalists' Union. With 

 such surroundings, and excellent guides, genial companions, 

 numerous geological, botanical, and other problems to solve, 

 perfect weather, and an inn where no pains were spared to cater 

 for the needs of hungry naturalists, there is no wonder that 

 there were feelings of regret on Monday evening as the train 

 rolled in the station to convey the members to their respective 

 towns. 



Saturday was devoted to the investigation of Whitfield Gill 

 and the fells beyond. The 'waterfalls' hardly justified their name 

 — some being almost quite dry. Some members of the party 

 who had long been familiar with them never remembered their 

 beinof so drv. On the following dav the moors were traversed 

 as far as Muker, in Swaledale ; a few of the more enthusiastic 

 of the party going still further, towards Kisdon Force. Monday 

 was devoted to an examination of Raydale side and the beautiful 

 Semmerwater. The sides of this mere were carpeted with 

 various wild flowers. Of particular interest was the profusion 

 of Bog-bean, Globe-flower, and the rose-pink Mealy Primrose. 



As on previous week-end excursions, the evenings were 

 pleasantly and profitably occupied by hearing and discussing 

 papers of local interest. Mr. W. Horne, F.G.S., of Leyburn, 

 ■delivered a lecture on the various objects of pre-historic date 

 which have been found near Leyburn, and exhibited some of the 

 more remarkable specimens. W^e hope to give a fuller account 

 of these at a later date. Mr. J. Hartshorn gave a description 

 ■of the botanical features of the district, and Dr. W. G. Smith 

 alluded to the local problems in plant distribution. There was 

 also a discussion on mapping, which may prove fruitful of good 

 xesults. 



For a more general account of this excursion we would refer 

 our readers to the 'Yorkshire Observer' for the 13th June. 



.1905 July I. o 



