358 
secretary's report, 1897. 
It is a pleasure to be able to report another year of successful 
work. The General Meetings have been associated with interesting 
and valuable Field Excursions, and the weather was so propitious 
on each occasion as to enable the programme to be completely 
and successfully carried out. 
The Spring General Meeting was held at Pateley Bridge, on 
Saturday, May 22nd, and was associated with an Examination 
in the field of the chief geological features of Nidderdale. The 
Harrogate Local Secretary, Mr. Robert Peach, being away on the 
Continent, the local arrangements were kindly undertaken by 
Mr. John Farrah, F.R.Met.S., who also undertook the general 
leadership of the party. The Members met at Harrogate Station 
and travelled together to Ripley Valley. A large quarry in the 
Millstone Grit, near Killinghall Mills, was first examined, and 
then the old course of the Nidd, from which it was artificially 
deflected some centuries ago, was pointed out by the leader. A visit 
was then paid to Ripley, the Church and old stocks being' inspected, 
after which, the road was taken to Hampsthwaite quarries, where 
the Cayton Gill beds are worked. These beds were found to be 
full of fossil remains, chiefl}^ casts. From Hampsthwaite Station 
the train was taken to Dacre, where luncheon was served. 
Wagonettes then conveyed the members to the breezy heights 
of Briraham Moor, where some time was spent in the investi- 
gation of the remarkably denuded Millstone Grit rocks and 
enjoying the pure air and wide views. During a discussion on 
the spot of these extraordinary rock-forms and the mode of their 
production, the impossibility of attributing the denudation 6f 
these rocks to marine agency was pointed out, the levels of the 
various denuded beds being so different, and the results so unlike 
a cliff-line with isolated pinnacles. No other agency than that 
of atmospheric weathering could account for all the facts. As 
to whether denudation was continuing the same work now, Mr. 
