Nottingham Literary and Philosophical Society.—Natural Science Section.—June 29th. An excursion was made to Stanton-by-Dale and West Hallam. The party visited an interesting cliff of calcareous Bunter conglomerate near the Stanton Gate Station, and the Millstone Grit and Banter quarries were also seen. Near Dale the Kilburn coal seam is worked from the outcrop. This seam is 4ft. in thickness, and is the lowest seam worked in the Midland Coal-field. At Dale the ruins of the abbey and the picturesque little church were seen, and near Stanley a quarry in the Coal Measures sandstone. The Botanists of the party obtained a large number of interesting plants. A field near Stanton Gate is remarkable for the number of species it contains, e.g., as many as five of the Vetches, including tetrasperma, being found within a very short distance. Jasione and Genista tinctoria are also very abundant. The Orobanche, which is said to grow near Dale, was not found.
Oswestry and Welshpool, Naturalists Field Club and Archæological Society.—Third Excursion, July 17.—The meeting-place was Wrexham. After a visit to the fine old church, the party took train to Cefn-y-bedd, whence their route lay up the beautiful Nantyfridd Valley, a narrow wooded dell, along which runs the line of the Great Cambrian Fault. Rocks of mountain limestone and millstone grit protrude here and there. At the upper end of the valley is a very pretty waterfall. Here the party left the valley, and proceeded over the hill to Minera, celebrated for its lead mines and lime works. Here a break met them, in which, after seeing the church, they returned to Wrexham. The day was lovely, though very hot, Among the plants found, we may mention Corydalis clarientata, Hypericum Androsæmum and montanum, Geranium pratense and lucidum, and a beautiful white variety of G. Robertianum, Campanula latifolia, Cystopteris fragilis, and Polystichum angulare.
Peterborough natural history and scientific society.—On June 22nd, July 6th, and 26th, afternoon excursions were made in the neighbourhood of Peterborough; also evening excursions on June 25th and July 3rd. On the 8th, 17th, 24th, and 29th inst. evening botanical excursions took place, and were highly satisfactory.
Woolhope Naturalists' Field Club.—On June 20th there was a large gathering of members at Ross for Symond's Yat and the Doward. After visiting the recently-created church at Ross, the party proceeded to Symond's Yat, on the top of which the formal business of the Club was transacted. Mr. H. Southall pointed out and tamed the surrounding hills, &c. The members then took boat about a mile down the Wye to the Dripping Well, which was examined. Proceeding further down the river to the Old Fish House, they landed and visited King Arthur's and the other Caves. Little Doward Hill was then ascended, through the woods, to the Iron Tower, After passing through the Leys Park, the party proceeded in carriages from Crockford's Ash to Ross. After dinner, Mr. Southall read a most interesting paper on the Doward Caves, the botany of the district, &c., &c.
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