€ REPORT OF 



contemplated for the kingdom. Its especial aim has been to 

 collect information respecting its own county ; and the end to 

 which it aspires has been described in a former Report to be 

 * the execution of such a history of Yorkshire as the Antiquary 

 and the Natural Philosopher may be contented to possess.' But 

 how greatly will the importance of this object be heightened 

 when it is incorporated into a national system, and when 

 all the results of our inquiries become part of the materials 

 of a far more extensive analysis ! It could not but be felt 

 before by a provincial Society, that in executing the task which 

 it had undertaken, advice and consultation were wanted. With 

 how much more confidence may it now proceed, when it has the 

 advantage of consulting with the Committee of this great national 

 Association ! In comparing the views which it entertains and 

 the methods which it employs, with those that may be offered 

 to its consideration, how largely may it profit by such a com- 

 merce, without sacrificing any portion of its real dignity or 

 independence ! 



The first accomplishment which the Society had the satis- 

 faction to witness of its designs as a County Institution, was 

 the valuable publication in which its Secretary, Mr. Phillips, 

 described the Geological relations of the north-eastern dis- 

 trict of Yorkshire, and delineated its fossils with so much 

 accuracy and success. The Council are happy in being able 

 to state that, having since proceeded to combine materials for » 

 continuation of the work, its author now proposes to publish 

 by subscription a similar survey of the north-western part of 

 the county, in which his labours will have this additional 

 interest, that he has there, not only a highly interesting field 

 of research, but one of which the greatest part has never been 

 before described. 



In the Botanical department of the natural history of 

 Yorkshire, a material advance it is hoped will be made, in a 



