50 Ss. JEFFERSON’S VALEDICTORY ADDRESS. 
Mr. Thomas Rees, of Whitwood, exhibited specimens of stone 
coal from Normanton which were very thickly intercalated with 
shells, 
Mr. Bothamley has also from time to time brought samples of 
minerals which have proved of interest. 
But in addition to our papers and exhibitions let us not pass 
over our excursions. These have been all held in connection 
with the W. R. C.N.S. They will be found particularized in our 
report. but one cannot refrain from pointing out how important a 
part this is of our work, and it is very desirable that we should 
impress upon ourselves the necessity of attending these whenever 
practicable. 
It is believed that in the future there is for this Yorkshire 
Union of Naturalists a bright prospect of continued and in- 
creased success. Let us, as a society, assist those who are en- 
deavoring to make the united efforts of the various clubs even 
more successful than heretofore. 
On July 29th the members were invited to join the Bradford 
Scientific Association in an excursion to Victoria Cave. The 
speaker can assure those who failed to avail themselves of the 
invitation that they missed a most profitable day’s work. I trust 
that Mr. Tate, who so efficiently conducted that excursion, may be 
persuaded to lead one this coming year and that our members 
will then muster in strong force. 
Turning fom our own practical work to that which has awakened 
interest in the general scientific world, we have had the return of 
the Arctic Expedition, the Challenger, and Commander Cameron. 
The first left our shores on May 29th, 1875, and consisted of the © 
Alert, the Discovery and the Valorous. The two first: under 
Nares and Stephenson wintered very far North, and the sledge 
travelling under Captain Markham proved extremely arduous 
work. Let us not forget that the last named officer, who planted 
the English flag at the highest latitude ever yet reached, is a 
Yorkshireman. 
The Challenger has gathered rich fruits in her long and 
laborious voyage. The deepest soundings of any which have been 
obtained since reliable methods have been adopted, have been 
found on the western edge of the Pacific. The Challenger found 
between the Carolina and | adrones a depth of 27,450 feet, nearly 
equal to that obtained by the ‘Tuscarora previously off the Japan 
‘Coast, which was 27,930 feet. From this great depth the beau- 
tiful silicious shells of the Radiolaria were brought up by the 
a 
