secretary's report. 1906. 
211 
was expressed with the results of the meeting, geologically 
oonsidered, combined with the advantages of a spell of glorious 
weather. 
The third General Meeting and Field Excursion were held 
at Helmsley, on May 25th and 26th, for the study of the geology 
of Ryedale and the adjoining parts of the Hambledon Hills. 
The members met on Thursday evening, at the Black Swan 
Hotel, Helmsley, and visited the famous terraces on the banks 
of the Rye, surrounding the Hall, and continued their walk 
through the noble woods to the Deer Park. So extensive are 
these woods that in one severe storm, a few years ago, 
no less than 20,000 great trees were felled by the hurricane. 
An inspection was also made of the ruins of the old castle, 
with its fine keep and double moat. After dinner a conversa- 
tional meeting was held, at which the programme and otlier 
subjects of geological interest were discussed. A letter was 
received from Mr. A. H. Pawson. F.G.S., narrating the results 
of visits paid to Vesuvius since the recent eruptions, and 
accompanied by specimens of the lava, scoriae, and volcanic 
dust. 
On Friday morning the members took the train to Sinning- 
ton, and ascended the fine gorge of the Seven. The road up the 
dip slope of the Middle Oolites led to Appleton-le-Moor, and 
soon a grand view was obtained over the Tabular Hills. Above 
Lastingham the outcrop of the Lower Calcareous Grit is reached, 
forming a fine escarpment, the underlying Oxford Clay having 
been deeply cut down by the beck. The contrast between the 
wide transverse valley, denuded by the subsequent stream 
running along the escarpment, and the steep-sided gorge formed 
by the consequent river running down the dip-slope, was very 
instructive. 
The ancient church of Lastingham. with its unique crypt, 
was examined, during a brief thanderstorm. and the line of the 
escarpment was then followed to Hutton-le-Hole, whence the 
homeward route crossed Gouthwaite Dale and Kirkdale. The 
remainder of the walk to Newton Station wns taken in a hea\y 
downpour of rain. 
