seckktary's report. 
503 
in his address gave some interesting information about the beds 
which had been examined, noting among other things that they 
had yielded the oldest known Labyrinthodont. A paper was read 
by the Rev. W. Lower Carter. M.A., F.G.S., on The Yoredales and 
their Southern Equivalents in Yorkshire." The paper was a historical 
account of thei Lower Carboniferous rocks and their distribution 
north of the Craven Fault, showing a thinning out eastwards and 
southwards. The extension southwards was, liowever, cut off 
abruptly by the faults, and tlie massive limestones were represented 
on the south side of the faults by a great series of shales and thin 
bedded limestones. Mr. Tiddeman's views were quoted to explain 
this huge discrepancy. He believed that the Craven Fault was a line 
of movement in Carboniferous times, and that the sea bed was sinking 
vmequally during the deposition of the Lower Carboniferous beds, 
the south side of the fault sinking much more rapidly than the 
northern side. The physical conditions appeared to be a barrier 
reef on the north side of the fault, and a deep sea studded with coral 
islands to the south. An interesting discussion followed, and a vote 
of thanks was passed to the Chairman for his leadership and conduct 
of the meeting. 
On Saturday, July 27th, the party left Leyburn by an early 
train for Redmire station. As the fields were being crossed to 
Bolton Castle a heavy thunderstorm broke, necessitating a rapid 
retreat to cover. When the weather had cleared, Bolton Castle, 
the stronghold of the Scropes and the prison of Mary Queen 
of Scots, was visited. Mr. Horne conducted the party over this 
interesting ruin and explained its chief architectural and historical 
points. Fine weather enabled the party to cross the fields and visit 
the lower falls of the Yore at Aysgarth in comfort. Here the lowest 
beds of limestone in the dale are seen. The river has cut back a 
picturesque gorge through the level bedded limestone strata, and fine 
branching corals were seen in the rock. Thin bands of shale between 
the limestone beds contained quantities of shells. Luncheon was 
provided at the Palmer Flat Hotel, and a visit paid to the church, 
noted for its fine old roodloft from Jervaulx Abbey, which is now 
converted into choir stalls. The party then walked to the upper fall. 
