remarks that members had better be warned that there is some rather treach- 
erous boggy ground near the Hollow Pit Ponds, which should not be explored 
without a guide. Members arriving by later trains to Riccall afe advised to 
make direct for the Common. 
PERMISSION to visit their properties has been kindly granted by 
Lord Wenlock and by Kiley Briggs, Esq.. so far as regards his lands on Riccall 
Common and the two woods adjoining Market Weighton Road on the South. 
The other portions of the estate belonging to Mr. Riley Briggs, and the woods 
thereon, must not be entered by members owing to the pheasants having 
commenced laying 
CAUTION AS TO USE OF LIGHTS.— Members are requested 
to be very careful in the use of lights on the Common, and permission to explore 
the Common anci woods is only given on this condition. The nests and eggs of 
game and wild fowl nesting on the Common and in the woods must not be 
molested. 
GEOLOGY.— The Geological Section will probably be officially repre- 
sented. 
Mr. H. Culpin writes: — Riccall Common. The district forms part of the 
alluvial plain of York. Sections are not frequent, but the following particulars 
recorded by Dr. H. Franklin Parsons in the Proceedings Yorks. Geol. Soc., Vol. 
VI., p. 238, will show members what to expect: — Brickyard between Riccall and 
Escrick : Top soil. 1-ft. ; Brown peaty sand, 1-ft. ; Yellow sand, surface eroded, 
hollows lined with parting of clay, 2-ft. ; Coarse brown sand, 1-ft. ; Gravel, 
6 ins. ; Laminated clay, 10-ft. ; total, 15-ft. 6-ins. In a map in the Proceedings 
Y.G.S., Vol. VIL, PI. XII. Dr. Parsons stated the depths at which the Trias has 
been found at three places in the district, viz. : — Cawood 90-ft., Osgoldby 25-ft., 
Selby 75-ft. 
Geologists attending the meeting are recommended to go from Selby by 
way of the left bank of the Ouse until they reach the bridge by which the 
Market Weighton Road crosses the railway. This will give them an opportunity 
of noting the action of the river on its artificially raised banks, and they will also 
see a section of the natural bank. They should then take the Market Weighton 
Road for nearly three-quarters of a mile, and turn northwards by a field road on 
to the Common, after crossing which they will strike a convenient path to 
Riccall Station. The route can also be taken in the opposite direction. On the 
Common are some very interesting peat sections, overlain by blown sand. 
Many of the ditches just now also show instructive details. 
If time permits, a visit should be made to a Clay Pit on the road from Selby 
to Snaith, about half-a-mile south of the bridge over the railway. 
ARGHyEOLOGY. 
Mr. W. N. Cheesman, J. P., F.L.S., writes: — Riccall (Domesday Richale). 
Here Harold Hardrada in 1066 moored his 300 ships to attack York, defeating 
the defenders Earls Edwin and Morcar at Fulford, after which York submitted 
and gave hostages. 
Harold Hardrada retired to his army near Stamford Bridge, where King 
Harold of England, after the memorable march from the South, surprised and 
completely routed the invaders, 
A Saxon Chronicle runs: — " There were slain Harold Hardrada and Earl 
Tosti, and the Northmen who were there left were put to flight, and the English 
hotly slew them from behind as they came to their ships." 
Tumuli or burial mounds called '* Danes Hills " may still be seen between 
Riccall and Skipwith, where the invaders were allowed to bury their dead. 
Riccall Church has a fine Norman South Door with beakhead mouldings. The 
Registers date from 1613, and contain some interesting entries made during the 
Parliamentary Wars. 
Skipwith Church contains much Saxon (pre-Norman) work, some curious 
figure carvings of the same period, stone altar slab, with five crosses now in use, 
and an original Norman Door covered with exquisite ironwork. 
BOTANY. — The Botanical Section will be officially represented by the 
President, Mr. Harold Wager, F.R.S. 
Flowering Plants.— Mr. W. N. Cheesman, J. P., F.L.S.. writes:— 
Botanists working the Common from Selby are advised to take the river 
bank, over the toll bridge. Near the Olympic Works are Allium carinatum, 
A. Scorodoprasum and A. oleracemn. Some ponds by the riverside until recently 
yielded the four Lemnas, and the aquatic hepatic Ricciclla fluitans, Br., jand 
