xliv PEOCEEDINGS, 



In return lie should be offered — 



(1) Assistance in naming specimens, and in the fonnation of 



scliool museums. 



(2) Free admission to lectures and excursions. 



(3) Copies of Transactions. 



(4) Pree use of the Society's library. 



Every village would soon, under this scheme, possess an agent, 

 or registrar, who would be more and more able, as he gained 

 experience, to further the aims of this Association. 



5. Income and Expenses. — The unions would be supported by 

 means of small contributions from the affiliated societies. Money 

 would only be wanted for the expenses of an organizing secretary. 



These unions would render important help to local societies, 

 would bring isolated workers together, assist schools, colleges, 

 technical institutes, and museums, start new societies, and revive 

 waning ones. Economy of labour would be accomplished by 

 a precise demarcation of area for each local society. This would 

 be its sphere of work and influence ; and in this area it would have 

 a certain amount of responsibility in such matters as observation 

 and research, and vigilance against encroachments on footpaths, 

 commons, and wayside wastes. The unions might also, through 

 their Central Committees, bring about improvements in publication, 

 but joint publication would perhaps not be desirable in all cases. 

 In this, as in other matters connected with the unions, co-operation 

 and not U7iiformity should be the aim. 



With objects so desirable and far-reaching in view, the cost 

 could not be considered excessive, and the British Association 

 would soon be repaid by obtaining prompt and direct communi- 

 cation with all the towns and villages in Great Britain, and by 

 greater assistance in its research work and in all branches of 

 knowledge which it was established to promote. 



The Eev. E. P. Knubley remarked that the Yorkshire Naturalists' 

 Union was, he believed, the largest union of scientific societies in 

 England, having thirty-six affiliated associations. There were 

 500 members and 2,500 associates, making a total of 3,000 workers. 

 He thought they owed much to their geographical position and to 

 the great variety of rocks, scenery, soil, and climate in Yorkshire. 

 As to the organization of the Union, it was based to a considerable 

 extent on that of the British Association. Their President, 

 a distinguished Yorkshireman, was elected annually. There were 

 general secretaries, an executive Council of twelve members, 

 and a general committee. Their work came under five sections 

 — geology, botany, zoology, conchology, and entomology. In 

 addition, much work was carried on by means of research com- 

 mittees, which were in direct communication with the British 

 Association. Eight such committees were then in existence : 

 a Boulder Committee ; a Sea-Coast Erosion Committee ; a Possil 

 Flora Committee ; a Geological Photographs Committee ; a Marine 

 Biology Committee ; a Micro - Zoological and Micro - Botanical 



