Society was of opinion, that a single map, on a small scale, with all the proposed symbols would be far too crowded; he therefore recommended that there should be two maps, one to match that of Kent, already published, and the other purely mediæval; and that if the earlier map were prepared to match that of Kent, and the prefatory remarks and index communicated, the Society of Antiquaries would bear the expense of preparing the map and setting the index, etc., in type, and the Woolhope Club could have what copies were wanted at the mere expense of print and paper. With the object of making the members of our Club more acquainted with the conditions of the Geological specimens in the Museum, and calling their attention especially to the meagre collection of fossils of the Woolhope Limestone, we present a copy of the REPORT OF THE REV. J. D. LA TOUCHE. TO THE COMMITTEE OF THE HEREFORD FREE LIBRARY AND MUSEUM. THE Committee of the Hereford Free Library and Museum having requested the Rev. Prebendary Elliot, Mr. G. H. Piper, and myself, to undertake the arrangement of a number of Geological specimens which had been presented to the Museum by several collectors, and had accumulated from time to time; assisted by my son Tom D. La Touche, Mr. H. C. Moore, and others, who rendered valuable aid, we proceeded last July to make a selection from the miscellaneous materials placed at our disposal, and to distribute the specimens in a row of cases in the centre of the room in such a manner as to afford to visitors to the Museum a tolerably instructive lesson on the sequence of life in paleozoic times. Since the Geology of the County of Hereford (if we except the comparatively small but extremely interesting area of the valley of Woolhope) is confined almost exclusively to the Old Red or Devonian system, it was hardly to be expected that the Silurian Fauna should be so fully or typically represented in these collections as the former. Accordingly while we found a very large assortment of the cartilaginous fishes, Pteraspis, Cephalaspis, &c., &c., derived from Old Red Strata, the varied and far more abundant life of the previous Silurian epoch was but meagrely represented in comparison. A sufficient number of specimens, however, were found to enable us to form a fairly typical series, so that the student will now see as he proceeds from case to case, with a few gaps which it may be hoped future collectors may fill up, examples of the chief genera and species in ascending order from the Ordovician to the Old Red. I shall here make a few brief remarks on each of the members of this collection, with a view of calling attention to the points in which it appears to me most weak and deficient. The Tremadoc or Arenig formations which occur at the base of the Silurian system appear to be here unrepresented; but of the Llandeilo which succeeds them there are some fairly good specimens presented by Mr. Lightbody. The collection of Caradoc sandstone fossils, though including some fair specimens of the Brachiopoda and Heteropoda might be better than it is, considering that the localities in Shropshire where they are to be found in abundance are very accessible. Of the Trilobites of the Llandovery there are no specimens, and its fine characteristic Brachiopod, Pentamerus oblongus, makes but a poor show here. I am much surprised to find that the Limestone band that takes its name from Woolhope, the happy hunting ground of our distinguished Club, is only represented by some five or six very imperfect fragments, among which the grand Bumastus Barriensis, which is certainly to be had in the great quarries that abound there, is conspicuous by its entire absence. I venture to suggest that an effort should be made not only to obtain from collectors, or by original research, the characteristic fossils of that local and very interesting stratum, but those of the whole Woolhope district, which is one that has become classic in Geological literature. In the succeeding strata of the Wenlock shale the collection includes a few fair Brachiopods, as well as some fragments of the well known Trilobite, Phacops longicaudatus, and there are a few corals from the Wenlock limestone. In the Lower Ludlow the labours of Messrs. Lightbody and Crouch have supplied the Museum with some fair examples of Star-fish from Church Hill. There are a few good specimens of Lamellibranchs and Brachiopods, a moderate display of Gasteropods, while there is a superabundance of Cephalopods, limited, however, to a few species. Altogether the very abundant and varied fauna of the Lower Ludlow epoch is but imperfectly represented. The characteristic Pentamerus Knightii of the Aymestry Limestone is plentiful, but many other forms belonging to that stratum are absent. The Upper Ludlow is pretty well represented; and, lastly, there are a tolerably good number of specimens from the beds which constitute the transition to the over-lying Old Red Sandstone: With these our task of arrangement terminated. A large case full of specimens of fishes belonging to the family Cephalaspidæ remains yet to be classified and named. Many of these are extremely good, but it might be desirable to exchange many of them with other Museums, where their acquisition would be highly appreciated; and thus, some of the blanks that still exist in this collection might be filled up. The Committees of the Ludlow, Shrewsbury, and other Natural History Societies would probably be found willing to co-operate in this, making their own collections as complete and representative as possible. In conclusion, the Hereford Museum may be congratulated on possessing, if not a perfect series of examples of Palæozoic fossils, at any rate, one which affords a fair idea of the succession of animal life in the remote and highly interesting epoch to which they belong. Stokesay, Craven Arms, 19th March, 1892. J. D. LA TOUCHE. RETIRING ADDRESS BY THE PRESIDENT, REV. SIR GEORGE H. CORNEWALL, BART. It has always been held to be the duty of the President of this Club, on completing his year of office, to give some account of the work which has been done during the period in which he has occupied that responsible position. It was very gratifying to me, being one of the oldest members of the Woolhope Club, and having occupied the post of Honorary Secretary for many years in times gone by, to be chosen to guide during the past year the fortunes of a Society which has done much in its day to foster that agreeable intercourse of thought which those in this neighbourhood, making a study of natural science, have always been glad to impart the one to the other in our Field Meetings. It is much to live in a county abounding in beautiful scenery. The contemplation of that scenery derives additional pleasure from the study of the rich fauna and flora which our county contains, as well as the exploration of the various phenomena presented to us in the geological structure of rocks of this locality. To those of us who have not leisure to search deeply into the treasures which natural history contains, it is a pleasure to listen to accounts of the successful researches of others, and a distinct gain as regards our intellectual advancement and the elevating influences thereby brought to bear upon us. But I may claim for this Club, not only the advantages which our social gatherings, as I have endeavoured to indicate, may possess; but I may point to the work done by this Club, as a very important contribution to the record of facts relating to natural science, which it is desirable that those interested in the county of Hereford should possess. We have numberless papers on the geological phenomena about us, and these should be placed in the forefront of our achievements, for it is from the remarkable exhibition of stratified rocks at Woolhope that the Club takes its name; we have now, thanks to our excellent friends, Messrs. Purchas and Ley, a published Flora of Herefordshire; the county divided into districts so that the plants found in each district may be fitly tabulated and compared. We have interesting accounts of the various mansions of Herefordshire, and the remarkable trees in their parks and grounds; for these we are very much indebted to the indefatigable labours of a much honoured member, the late Dr. Bull; we have done a very important work as regards fungi; entomology has not been neglected, Dr. T. A. Chapman has, in this branch, given valuable help. Nor is it possible for me to pass over the important position given to this Club as a means of advancing science in Herefordshire by the munificence of one who has established in our city a museum of Natural History, which year by year becomes more complete and interesting, and which well deserves a visit from every member of the Club on account of the valuable work which has recently been carried through in arranging and classifying the various specimens exhibited therein; also the noble Woolhope Club Room will always be associated with his name, and if under the same roof is placed an excellent library for the use of all students, we may hope that the effect of gaining knowledge from the perusal of its literature will be that the readers will be encouraged to mount up higher, and find in the museum means of satisfying still further their thirst for useful knowledge by the study of natural history. I am aware that there is a certain danger in engaging in a retrospect of past labours, such as I have attempted. I have doubtless omitted many names well worthy of mention, who have done us good service in the past. It was not my intention to give with any completeness a record of the work done by the Woolhope Club; but, as a very old member, it is permitted me, I think, to point out to those who have lately joined us that while much has been done much remains to be done, and that their labours, if simplified by what has been already published, may still be exercised over a wide field, and that much useful information may still be gathered on all subjects which come within their own field of observation. I must now glance rapidly at the successful results of the various Field Meetings which have taken place during the past year. If these "successful results" are to be measured by the attendance of members, the interest taken in the various excursions, the valuable papers we have listened to (excluding, if you please, my own contributions), then, I think, the record of the year is one of which we need not be ashamed. The weather was against us; that must be allowed, but that so many were encouraged to brave the elements, particularly the terrible downpour which greeted us at Moccas, is a proof of a gratifying zeal on the part of our members. The First Meeting was arranged in order to explore the interesting plants of Haugh Wood; at the same time furnishing a walk abounding in as striking views as may be found in any part of our beautiful county. The season being a late one, we were botanically unsuccessful, but I do not think that those who were present will soon forget the varied beauties of that delightful walk, or the prospect when we reached Backbury Hill and gazed on the wide valley of the Wye on the one hand, and, on the other, on the interesting geological formation of the hills surrounding Woolhope, where the Rev. J. D. La Touche explained to us with his usual ability, the progress of the various changes which resulted in the remarkable configuration of that locality from which the Club derives its name. Passing down to Stoke Edith, we took carriage to Lugwardine, stopping on the way to examine the volcanic rock exhibited in a quarry at Bartestree; at Lugwardine Sir H. Croft very kindly afforded us welcome refreshment after the fatigues of the day. The weather, stormy in the morning, held up during the day, but could not be pronounced genial. The second Meeting of the Club was held on June 30th, at Aberedw, in Radnorshire, a spot well known to those who pass by rail along the valley of the Upper Wye, for, before reaching Aberedw Station, after passing beneath the striking rock masses which rise steeply above the north bank of the Wye, a glimpse-all too slight and transient-is gained of a deep gorge through which the Edw passes; there is the cliff, partly concealed by wood, and the crawling stream below, beautiful in itself, and exciting, as regards the possible finny treasures it may contain, the hopes of the enthusiastic angler. The weather was more |