3i7 
YORKSHIRE NATURALISTS IN ESKDALE. 
Well chosen was the locality for the last week-end excursion 
of the Union, for there are few places to compare with the 
majestic beauty of the numerous dales arising along the course 
of the Esk ; glorious valleys full of varying interest, terminating 
in wild heather-clad moorlands, and with diversified scenery 
that cannot fail to give infinite pleasure to the nature lover. 
Headquarters were at Sleights Hall, a fine mansion with 
delightful gardens, in which are many well-grown trees and 
shrubs. Particularly conspicuous were two examples of Lime, 
Arbutus Unedo, in fruit, Olearia hasti with its wealth of creamy 
blossoms, and Spiraea engardi, as well as plants of Acanthus 
spinosissima bearing giant bloom spikes. 
A moderate number of members stayed over the week-end, 
whilst undoubtedly the withdrawal of the excursions trains 
on the Monday militated against a larger number being present 
on that day. The absence of the President of the Union (Mr. 
Thomas Sheppard, F.G.S.) was accounted for by his repre- 
senting the Union at the meetings of the British and French 
Associations at Havre. 
On Saturday the party trained to Egton, first visiting the 
gardens at Egton Lodge, finding much of interest in the rock 
garden, which contained many specimens of plants. They 
were there met by Mr. Twinham, who conducted them through 
East Arncliffe Woods to the site of the supposed British Pit 
dwellings. Subsequently the party went to the Memorial 
Institute at Glaisdale where an excellent tea was provided 
by Glaisdale friends, who were heartily thanked for their kind 
hospitality. The response of Dr. E. H. Davis brought to a 
close a most enjoyable outing. 
On Sunday most of the members drove over the moors to 
Saltersgate, for an inspection of the Hole of Horcum, arriving 
at noon, but rainstorms of exceptional violence completely 
spoilt what would have proved a profitable excursion. 
However, Mr. Burton explained the theories concerning the 
forces which were considered to have caused the formation of 
this immense valley, with its converging gorges and narrow 
outlet. His recital of the local legend as to how the Hole of 
Horcum and Blakey Topping owed their origin was vastly 
entertaining. 
Briefly, ’twas thus. A giant and his wife, known by the 
name of Hob, were busily engaged in the erection of castles at 
Pickering and Mulgrave. Their only offspring was a boy, who, 
in wanton mood made human ‘ duck-stones ’ of his parents 
by pelting them with sundry loose chunks of rock which lay 
at hand. Naturally the wrath of the parents was great at 
this unseemly treatment, so Mrs. Hobs rose in her might, 
1914 Oct. 1 . 
