3iS 
Yorkshire Naturalists in Eskdale. 
and seeking means whereby to chasten the pride of her heart , 
scooped up materials on her way from Pickering, thereby 
making the Hole of Horcum ! Continuing her chase of the 
youngster, the strings of her apron broke, and the materials 
falling to the ground formed what is now known as Blakey 
Topping ! 
On Monday all parties, under the guidance of Mr. Burton, 
proceeded over the fields from Sleights to Little Beck, and spent 
the day in the charming Valley of Little Beck, which proved 
most interesting to workers in most sections, but exceptionally 
so to the botanists. The majority did not proceed further 
than Falling Force, a few however partly explored the May Beck 
Valley. 
At the meeting held at the close of the excursion good reports 
were given of the work which had been carried out, and cordial 
thanks were accorded to Mr. Burton for the admirable manner 
in which he had made the local arrangements, which were a 
distinct success, and also to Dr. E. H. Davis, Mr. Kenneth 
Foster and Mr. E. C. Brooksbank for the kind permissions to 
visit their estates 
W.E.L.W. 
Botany. — Mr. W. E. L. Wattam writes : — The features of 
east Arncliffe woods are the precipitous slopes strewn with 
great stone blocks and debris washed down from the calcareous 
rocks above, which, to some extent, influence the ground 
vegetation, as evidenced by the extensive sheets of Dog’s 
Mercury and Enchanter’s Nightshade. The abundant supply 
of moisture was reflected in the richly moss-grown blocks. 
The woods, which are of great age, whilst containing many 
introduced trees, are probably the descendants of a primitive 
oak forest. 
The chief objective in visiting the Hole of Horcum was to 
find the Dwarf Cornel ( Cornus succica), but although part of 
the ground was worked the rain storms stopped further investi- 
gation. The general vegetation of the surrounding moors is 
of the silicious heath type, whilst the influence of lime on the 
summit of the hill looking down into the valley was shewn by 
the presence of Hoary Plantain, and an abundance of Wild 
Thyme. A little Vaccinium vitis-idaea was noted, as well as 
Orchis maculata and Bog Pimpernel. Where paring or firing 
had taken place on the moors the ripened panicles of Air a 
praecox were very noticeable. 
Little Beck Valley proved most interesting botanically. 
Just before entering the wooded portion a mass of the aromatic 
Origanum vulgare gave quite a display of bloom. The arboreal 
features of the valley are exceptionally fine. On the pre- 
cipitious banks of the gorge for some distance were ex- 
Naturalist, 
