Notes and Comments. 
245 
Long’s Gallery, Long’s Organ, Barton’s Cavern, Aster Column, 
and so on. But we await the scientific results of these ‘ ex- 
plorers ’ who ‘ face unknown risks of danger and frequently 
endure much discomfort.’ True, a photograph has been 
published, but no scale was, given, and the ‘ pillars ’ may 
merely have been inches in length. We await further details 
before forming an opinion of the scientific importance of the 
recent ‘ researches.’ 
SOFT CHERT. 
More recently the press has given details of further ‘ in- 
vestigations,’ ‘ researches,’ and ‘ explorations and surveys 
in the Stump Cross Cave, and judging from the extravagance 
of adjectives, the article has been inspired by the same * clay- 
encrusted speleologist.’ We learn that ‘ a number of boulders 
was removed, giving access to a large canyon cleft, which, in 
the meagre candle-light, seemed to soar away up into gloom 
and mystery. Between the explorers’ feet yawned a narrow 
but deep chasm, up which came the roar of rushing waters. 
With the help of magnesium ribbon, the black, foam-flecked 
stream could be discerned many fathoms below. Further in- 
vestigation was postponed till the next day, when the full (sic !) 
party returned. A descent of the cleft was made to the level 
of the stream, which revealed the startling fact that the 
direction of the flow of the water was almost opposite to the 
main trend of the caverns. At this point work was abandoned 
for the day, owing to' an accidental fall of rock which nearly 
involved the loss of three lives,’ but did not. There is news 
of swirling streams, subterranean watersheds, and we are 
told that it is intended to ‘ survey the whole system accurately’ 
(not a bad idea !) ; ‘by means of eosin, sodium hydroxide, 
or phenolpthalia.’ One observation, if correctly made, may 
have some scientific significance, viz., ‘ the appearance of 
vertical veins of black chert, which in parts is of a soft, 
almost plastic nature.’ 
THE MUSEUMS ASSOCIATION. 
The Annual Conference of the Museums Association was 
held at Leicester from July 10th to 15th, and was well attended 
by delegates from various parts of the British Isles, and from 
Canada, the United States and France. Papers were read 
dealing with : — ‘ Means of Raising Money for Museum Pur- 
poses,’ by Mr. F. Leney ; ‘ Museum Labelling and Printing,’ 
by Mr. A. T. Roberts ; ‘ The Fading of Museum Specimens,’ 
by Sir Sidney Harmer ; * A New Spirit proof Cement,’ by 
Dr. G. H. Murray ; ‘ The Use of Croid and the Labelling of 
Spirit Preparations,’ by Dr. J. J. Simpson ; ‘ Taking Casts 
of Fossils,’ by Dr. F. A. Bather ; ‘ Classification of Derby 
Porcelain,’ by Mr. F. Williamson ; ‘ A suggested Scheme 
1922 Aug.-Sept. 
