56 THE BREAKING OF THE SHROPSHIRE MERES. 
Besides the additions to the Library recorded in the report, 
the Librarian wishes to call attention to the fact that very 
many odd parts of periodicals, etc., have been kindly granted by 
various societies and publishers to complete the sets of former years ; 
but notwithstanding this, as will be seen from the Catalogue, there 
are still many incomplete. 
The Curators (Messrs. G. M. Iliff and H. Miller - ) report that 
they have examined the microscopes belonging to the Society, and 
find the same in fair condition. They would suggest that a more 
suitable case be provided for the “ Boss Microscope.” 
A fully classified list of the other property of the Society is in 
progress. 
Owing to lack of suitable accommodation, a great number of 
specimens have become damaged and valueless. To remedy this, 
Messrs. Charles Pumphrey and W. P. Marshall have presented 
to the Society during the year a large and specially designed 
cupboard, which is a valuable addition to their property. 
THE BREAKING- OF THE SHROPSHIRE MERES.* 
BY WILLIAM PHILLIPS, F.L.S. 
In the north-west part of Shropshire, near where we are now 
assembled, there exists an extensive series of meres, interspersed 
with marsh land and peat bogs drained by the rivers Morda, Perry, 
and Roden, which empty themselves into the Severn, presenting 
one of the richest botanical districts to be found in the West 
Midlands. Geologists tell us that these meres and marshes are the 
remains of a great inland lake fed by the Severn, which, during 
post-glacial times, forced an outlet through the gorge at Iron 
Bridge. And, by the way, if this gorge were filled up to the height 
of the rocks on either side of it, which are 500ft. above the level of 
the sea, the water would even now rise over 300ft. throughout 
* A paper read before tlie Annual Meeting of the Midland Union of 
Natural History Societies, at the Quinta, Shropshire, with some additions 
from a paper printed in the “ Transactions of the Shropshire Archaeological 
Society, Yol. VII.,” by the same author. 
March, 1893. 
