sandstone give a step -like character to the sides of tlie narrow valley which is 
freely planted with sycamore, elm, beech and horse-chestnut. After leaving 
Sowerby Bridge the lower part of the valley through Triangle and Ripponden 
is park-like in character with riiany fine trees. The slopes above retain 
traces of primitive woodland of oak and birch, with heath plants and much 
bracken in the ground flora. 
From Rishworth to Cunning Corner the trees become stunted and the 
lower parts of the narrowing valley are occupied by oak -birch scrub and 
small plantations of beech, sycamore and scots pine. The pastures of 
the upland slopes are divided by low blackened sandstone walls. To meet 
the needs of West Riding towns for increased water supply and to reduce 
the chances of pollution, these upland farms are becoming vacated and 
derelict and the vegetation is reverting to grass-heath with Nardus as the 
dominant grass. The springs are marked by rush -beds, and bracken covers 
extensive parts of the slopes up to the higher springs. Beyond the Derby 
Inn are fine examples of Molinia moor and this gives place to bilberry on 
the edges and finally cottongrass on the peat -covered summit where the mean 
annual rainfall is 50 to 55 inches. On the flatter stretches, Eriophorum 
augusti folium covers large areas but on the plateau the dominant plant is 
E. vaginatum which is still the chief peat former over a wide area. Here one 
gets a good idea of the extent of the cottongrass moss of the Southern Pennines. 
On the better drained parts of Moss Moor and Weystone Moor there is much 
bilberry, cowberry and crowberry and grey-green patches of cloudberry, 
and in the small sphagnum bogs is the cranberry. 
YORKSHIRE NATURALISTS’ UNION. 
For particulars apply to 
The Hon. Secretary , 29 Frankland Terrace, Leeds / or to the 
Hon. Treasurer , 5 . D. Persy Fisher, Sackville Street, Leeds. 
19 
[Signature and Titles.] 
[A ddress.] 
wishes to become a member of the Yorkshire Naturalists’ Union, 
and will subscribe FIFTEEN SHILLINGS ( 15 /-) per annum 
until the end of the year in which written resignation is given. 
Members are entitled to receive ‘ The Naturalist ’ and all other current 
publications of the Union, free. 
\ [Signature 
of Proposer 
and 
Seconder .] , 
(xvi) 
