344 
Geology at the British Association. 
Excursions. — Brief mention may be made of excursions. 
These were well attended and admirably organised, thanks 
chiefly to the help of the North Eastern Railway represen- 
tative, Mr. P. Carr. We were fortunate in having as leaders 
on various occasions Professor Kendall, Mr. Lamplugh, and 
Mr. Stather. The excursions were to the following places ; 
(i) The Humber Portland Cement Works at Melton, where 
the whole process of cement -making was shewn from the ex- 
cavation of the chalk to the storing of the finished article. (.2) 
To Market Weighton and South Cave. Near Market Weighton, 
at Kiplingcotes, an exposure was visited which showed Upper 
Chalk resting on Lower Lias. The section at South Cave pre- 
viously mentioned w T as visited the. same day. (3) Gristhorpe 
and Scarborough. At Gristhorpe some blasting had been done 
to expose more of the plant beds, and those present had the 
advantage of instruction by Mr. Hamshaw Thomas. A par- 
ticularly successful excursion was that paid to Kirmington, 
where visitors had the advantage of Mr. Lamplugh's unrivalled 
knowledge of the district. The route was — New Holland, Kir- 
mington, Caistor and Acre House (near Claxby), Barnetby, 
South Ferriby and back to New Holland — a day excursion. This 
Kirmington section is of great importance in its bearing upon 
the controversial topic of inter-glacial periods. The old iron- 
stone workings in the Claxby Ironstone were visited. The 
final excursion was to Dimlington and Kilnsea, one section 
of the party visiting the boulder clay cliffs at Dimlington 
under the guidance of Mr. Lamplugh and Mr. Stather ; the 
other section visiting Spurn, under the guidance of Mr. A. 
Charlesworth. The time only permitted the latter party to go 
half-way to Spurn Point. The erratic boulders in the boulder 
clay and on the shores proved fascinating. A feature which 
aroused great interest in a room adjoining the Section Room 
was the exhibition of maps showing local geological work 
done by members of the Hull Geological Society, and also an 
exhibition of lantern slides lent by members of the same 
society. These maps are part of the scheme for a complete 
survey of the East Riding, similar to that done in the South- 
eastern Counties and in other areas. 
: o: 
CORRESPONDENCE. 
DESTRUCTION OF EARWIGS. 
On September 9th, I picked up a pellet ejected the previous night on 
to a garden path here. It measures 1.5 inches long by .5 broad, and on 
the surface are visible the remains of several earwigs. There were also 
remains of several small black beetles, and much brown substance of 
doubtful nature. No signs of lady birds’ remains were on the pellet. 
What bird ejected it? Was it a Little Owl ? .—Frederick D. Welch, 
M.R.C.S. 
Naturalist 
