REPORT OF 



the annual expenditure thus saved may be appHed to the pur- 

 chase of books of reference, for the assistance of the Curators 

 of natural history and antiquities. 



The Monthly Meetings have been less completely supplied 

 with scientific essays than heretofore ; a circumstance which 

 is the more to be regretted, when the success which has lately 

 attended the Evening Conversations is considered. Out of 

 the large mass of communications which have thus contri- 

 buted to the instruction of the members, the Council proposes 

 to select for pubUcation those memoirs which, by their bear- 

 ing on the natural history and antiquarian monuments of 

 Yorkshire, or their importance in general science, appear 

 worthy of being placed in the hands of the members, and of- 

 fered to the public. The Transactions of the Yorkshire 

 Philosophical Society, thus limited in plan, can never offend 

 by their extent ; but if frequently published in a modest form, 

 and at a low price, may powerfully direct the inquiries of 

 the members to the scientific objects of local interest for which 

 the institution was originally founded, and by some contri- 

 butions to the general amount of useful knowledge, deserve 

 the approbation of the public. 



It is further proposed that a short Description of the 

 Contents of the Museum shall be speedily printed, for the 

 assistance of the members, and the numerous strangers who 

 now visit the institution. 



The Flora of Yorkshire, by which title it is proposed to 

 designate the work on the botany of the county some time 

 since commenced by the Sub-curator, is in the press, and will 

 be published before the conclusion of the year. 



During the past year, death has removed from us several 

 members, and among them one who has left a vacancy in the 

 ranks of the Yorkshire Philosophical Society, and in the 

 hearts of its members, not easily to be filled. Generous in 

 his benefactions, untiring in useful labour, prodigal of time 

 and various knowledge for the public good, the memory of 



