102 PROCEEDINGS OF PROVINCIAL SOCIETIES. 



another such period will see it at the head of all British societies of 

 the same nature. However enviable such a position must be, no 

 feeling of jealousy towards sister institutions should lead it to strive 

 for pre-eminence, except the generous principle of emulation. Whilst 

 using every exertion to take a lead in the cause of science, the So- 

 ciety should ofler a helping hand to those labouring in the same noble 

 and glorious work — that of making man acquainted with the rich 

 and varied objects that a beneficent Creator has placed around him, 

 refining his mind and aiding his imagination by presenting him with 

 pictures of the most transcendent beauty, laying before him evi- 

 dences and undeniable proofs of design on every hand, and thus pre- 

 paring him 



" to look from Nature up to Nature's God." 



YORK PHILOSOPHICAL SOCIETY. 



About the year 1822, the existence of fossil bones in the Cave 

 of Kirkdale, first became known to the public. This circumstance 

 having attracted a considerable share of attention, it was considered 

 desirable that a collection of these organic remains should be per- 

 manently deposited in the county, and the want of a suitable place 

 for their reception first suggested the idea of forming the Yorkshire 

 Philosophical Society. In the first printed report of the Society, it 

 is stated that its general object is the promotion of science in the 

 district for which it has been instituted ; and for this end it would 

 enroll among its members, not only those who are themselves en- 

 gaged in philosophical pursuits, but all by whom the value of such 

 studies is duly appreciated. One of its aims is to facilitate commu- 

 nications of philosophical opinions and facts, by holding general 

 meetings at which papers may be read and oral information re- 

 ceived. Another object is to establish a scientific library, for which 

 purpose a collection will be made of transactions of learned societies, 

 Journals of Science, and works on Arts, Antiquities, and Natural 

 History — especially the Mineralogy and Geology of Yorkshire — 

 collections of specimens of Comparative Anatomy, Natural History, 

 &c., will also be made, and the museum will be open to antiquities, 

 or any other curiosities found in Yorkshire. 



The proi)erty is vested in the subscribing members for the time 

 being, as there are no shares or transferable possessions. Each 

 member pays £5, on admission, and an annual subscription of £1. 



In the first report, the names of 120 subscribers were included ; 

 and it contained an acknowledgement of a donation, from six gen- 

 tlemen, of 2000 fossils, mostly illustrative of the Geology of the 

 county, and 245 from Kirkdale Cave; some additional minerals 

 were obtained by purchase. In the following year, the collection 

 had increased so greatly, that the apartments became too small, and 



