4 HISTORY OF THE SOCIETY. 
Originally excursions and classes were the only méans con- 
templated for carrying out the objects of the newly formed organ- 
ization. Consequently during the summer of 1870, there were nine 
excursions, mostly to places of interest within a few miles of Leeds, 
including Adel, Newlay, Bramhope, Ilkley, and Barwick-in-Elmet, 
the members receiving at Newlay and Bramhope the hospitality of 
Mr. Wm. Hind Smith and Mr. W. B. Hindle. One of the nine 
excursions, on the 3rd August, was a whole day trip to Bolton 
Abbey and Woods. The average attendance at the first season’s 
excursions was 14. 
During the winter of 1870—71 a botanical class was conducted 
in connection with the Club, while its original programme was 
extended by the holding of a, series of ten fortnightly evening 
meetings on Mondays. A variety of interesting local and general 
matter was brought forward on these occasions, and the following 
papers were read :—‘‘A November day at Boston Spa” by Mr. John 
W. Taylor; “Geology as a study” by Mr. Leonard Acomb; “Wasps” 
by Mr. Wm. Denison Roebuck; “Animalcule” by Mr. James 
Abbott; ‘On Trees and their uses” by Mr. James Brodie; and 
“Protozoa” by Mr. Thos. Hick, B.A. 
The First Annual Meeting was held on the 9th of March 1871. 
The Secretary gave an oral report on the state of the Society’s 
affairs, stating that it then numbered about 50 members. The 
balance sheet showed that the Revenue for the year was £3. 5.6 
and the balance carried forward £1.1. 6. 
Mr. James Holroyd and Mr. James Brodie were re-elected to the 
respective offices of President and Secretary, Mr. John W. Taylor 
was appointed Curator, Messrs. Thomas Rhodes and G. W. Newton 
were elected Vice-Presidents, while Messrs. Wm. Coates, Thos. G. 
Denny, A. W. Dodgshun, B. Rhodes, and Wm. Hind Smith were 
re-elected to serve on the Committee, the places of the retiring 
members being supplied by the election of Messrs. James Abbott, 
John Dixon, Wm. Denison Roebuck, and John Thrippleton. 
1871—1872. 
During the second year of the Society’s existence the evening 
meetings on the first and third Tuesdays of each month were kept 
up with varying success, 21 such meetings being held throughout 
the year. A considerable amount of local specimens and information 
was brought forward, and at two of the meetings papers were read: 
on “The Darwinian Theory” by Mr. Wm. Hy. Taylor, and on 
“Mosses” by Mr. James Abbott. 
Seven excursions were made during the summer of 1871, the 
places visited including Knaresbro’, Meanwood Valley, Roundhay 
