Over the boulder clay we get true Fen deposits, first beds of gravel, and then layers of peat and silt. The two latter deposits inesculate, and there are at least three distinct beds of peat. which is largely composed of moss (Hypnum fluitans.) Buried forests are found on five horizons, and the manner in which the newer trees are found seated upon the broken stumps, or astride the prostrate trunks of the older ones, is extremely curious. The trunks of the buried trees almost invariably lie pointing to the north-east. and this is also the direction in which those now growing incline, except quite close to the sea coast, where the sea breezes assert their influence, and the trees all bend away from the water, as may be seen to perfection at Hunstanton. The silt is shown to be a marine deposit.
A great amount of information is given in the appendix, including 211 measurements of sections, and lists of Inundations. rainfall, and local terms; also 120 titles of papers written op the district. Mr. Skertchley has done the main work, and in first-rate style, but he writes:—"I do nut consider the Geology of the Fens to be by any means exhausted. Indeed, no one can be more sensible of the numerous points of interest barely hinted at or unnoticed: but an area, of 1,500 square miles involves the work of a lifetime, instead of the four pleasant years I spent in the Fenland. . . The local peculiarities must be worked out independently by local Geologists, who will I trust find in this volume a conscientious and trustworthy guide."
W. J. H.
This Report bears the date 1878-9 on its cover, and also contains abstract of an address delivered to the Society on Nov. 27th, 1878," (p. 73.) from which it would appear that our Burton friends are "ahead of the times." At all events, there can be no doubt but that they are thoroughly well up with them, for the Report evinces a vigour and thoroughness which show that this young and active Society is doing good work in its district. In the account of the eight whole day excursions undertaken during the past year we note some interesting remarks on the grand oaks in Bagot's Park, Needwood Forest, That on Swilcar Lawn is 65ft. in height, and girths 26ft, at 4ft. above the surface of the ground. The branches of the "Beggar's Oak" stretch out for 108ft, from north to south, and 95ft, from east to west,
This Report contains also two excellent papers—one by the Rev. C. F. Thornewill[1], on "The History of Burton Abbey from its foundation (A.D. 1002) to the end of the Twelfth Century;" and another by Mr. J. T. Harris, on the "Economy and Natural History of Beetles, as Affecting our Grain and Vegetable Productions." A very valuable feature of the Society is the "Junior Section," composed of young students of Natural History, for whose encouragement prizes are annually offered for the best local collections of plants, shells, rocks, &c. We also note a Meteorological Table, showing the principal elements of the weather of 1877 in a concise form, prepared by the energetic Secretary, Mr. C. U. Tripp.
- ↑ A correction on p. 333 reads:
(Wikisource contributor note)Report of the Burton-upon-Trent Natural History and Archæological Society.—In the notice of this publication (ante p. 305) a mistake is made by attributing the authorship of the paper on "The History of Burton Abbey" to the Rev. C. F. Thornewill. The paper was written by Mr. Robert Thornewill.
