COLLIERY EXPLOSIONS AND THE WEATHER OF 1885. ANON. 253 
taking the number of explosions recorded every five years from 1851, 
and the average number of deaths in each, the natural conclusion to 
be arrived at is that 1886-1890 will show a decrease in the number of 
explosions, but an increase in the average deaths exceeding that for 
1876-80. 
1851-5 56-60 61-5 66-70 71-5 76-80 81-5 
Explosions 464.. .356. ..290... 275... 243.. .162. ..123 
Average deaths 2-5...3'6...2-9...5'6...4-0...10'4...7-2 
The averages are alternately low and high. It certainly looks as if 
the period we have now entered upon will have a very high average 
death rate. It is to be hoped that extended knowledge will not only 
reduce the number of explosions but also provide such means as wiU 
prevent the greater sacrifice of life. 
ON SOME REMAINS OF FOSSIL TREES IN THE LOWER COAL MEASURES AT 
CLAYTON, NEAR HALIFAX. BY JAS. W. DAVIS, F.G.S. (tHE PHOTOGRAPH). 
The Photograph issued with this volume of proceedings repre- 
sents a remarkably well-preserved example of the base of the trunk 
and the attached roots of a fossil tree found whilst baring the Elland 
flagstone in the Fall Top Quarries, at Clayton, by the proprietors, 
Messrs. John Murgatroyd & Sons. The fragmentary remains of 
numerous examples have been repeatedly found on the same horizon 
whilst clearing away the raggy stone and shale which overlies the 
flagrock to a depth of about 20 feet below the surface. The bole of 
the tree rises three or four feet from the level on which the roots are 
almost horizontally extended. Its upper surface is flat and horizontal, 
the diameter across is 3 feet 9 inches. The under part divides into 
four principal roots, each subdivided into two, and these again at a 
variable distance from the parent stem bifurcate and form still smaller 
rootlets. The primary roots varying from 1"5 to 2*0 feet in diameter, 
which rapidly diminishes after each bifurcation. The greatest leng-th 
that has been exposed from the centre of the trunk to the extremity 
