1 ARR NE Sae RES =, 
all 
PRESIDENT’S VALEDICTORY ADDRESS. 21 
of considerable original work or patient industry. The exhibits in 
conchological science have been numerous and interesting, including 
the exhibit of Clausilia Rolphit from anew British locality in Devon, 
Limnea glutinosa from Kent, and a very large number of specimens 
of great interest to experts. In Botanical Science we have had 
demonstration of the conjugation of Saprolegnia and of other points 
in vegetable physiology. In animal histology we have had good 
demonstrations more than once, and in general Physics we have had 
demonstration of the nature and properties of toughened glass and 
the application of various departments of science to practical pur- 
poses. The publicity given to our meetings in the local press has, it 
is hoped, called public attention to scientific doings and thus in 
some humble way we shall have helped to cultivate a taste for 
scientific knowledge in Leeds. 
Our excursions during the year have not been numerous, nor 
with one exception have they been well attended, The exception 
is the Riccall excursion, an experiment quite novel to us but worthy 
of repetition.» On Bank holiday Monday, Aug. 2nd, 1875, in con- 
nection with Hull and Goole our members went to Selby, and 
having met others of the party walked to Riccall Common, where in 
the middle of the day Dr. Parsons read a very interesting and elabor- 
ate paper on the Common and its natural and archeological features. 
After investigating the district the members reassembled at 5 
o’ clock at the Parish Church of Riccall, when the Rev. J. R. Farrow 
gave an interesting address upon it and the old manor house, now 
the Vicarage. After.tea the party returned to Leeds, Goole, and 
Hull. Great attention was paid to the plants and shells of the dis- 
trict. Lists and reports, drawn up by certain of the members, 
may be found in our minute-book. Reports also appeared in the 
‘Yorkshire Post’ and ‘Selby Times’ shortly after, embodying the 
whole of the information given by Dr. Parsons and the Rev. J. R. 
Farrow, B.A. Among the more interesting things noticed during 
the excursion were the occurrence of the whole four British Lemnz 
or Duckweeds in the pond near the church. In ditches in the 
vicinity, occasionally filled with brackish water, owing to the Ouse 
being a tidal river beyond this point, were found numerous examples 
of young Flounders. 
But when all is said, what have we done, compared with what 
we ought tohavedone? This, gentlemen, is what you and I should” 
ask ourselves to-night, and if the answer be that least consonant 
with our vanity let us remember that the new year is before us with 
its opportunities as well as its responsibilities. 
