46 



putrefaction of corpses— in other words, to resolve dead bodies to their 

 primitive elements ; (3) harmful, as causes of nearly all communicable 

 diseases. The subject of microbes (germs, mostly vegetable) was arranged 

 uuder two heads— (1) effect on soil ; (2) effect of soil and general conditions 

 on them. Attention was specially called to the latter, as both would be 

 too lengthy for one evening. Among the many circumstances affecting 

 bacterial growth was mentioned some chemical actions— presence of 

 oxygen, heat and cold, movement and rest— under pressure and effect of 

 re-agent, examples in each of these were given. Then followed an 

 account of the condition of growth specially worked out in connection 

 with certain microbes which produce abscesses under the following 

 circumstances : (1) where they are accompanied by material which makes 

 them stick in the capillaries ; (2) when mixed with blood clot ; (3) general 

 and local depression of vitality and fatigue ; (4) early stages of inflam- 

 mation ; (5) injury, as instanced in anthrax or wool-sorters' disease, which 

 grows only in cellular tissue, not in the blood ; (6) seat of inoculation and 

 anatomical arrangement ; (7) indefinite conditions in body, age and youth. 

 It was pointed out under the head of local and seasonal conditions that 

 erysipelas was most prevalent iu February and November, diphtheria in 

 cold and moist weather, typhoid in summer and autumn. The general 

 conditions to avoid growing microbes were stated to be general good 

 health, temperance, exercise, and fresh air. The general use of disin- 

 fectants in sick rooms, &c., was severely criticised and pronounced in 

 nearly all cases to be perfectly useless, as they do not kill the microbes 

 nor vet prevent their multiplication. 



Meeting held in the Library of the Philosophical Hall, April 14th, 

 1890. John Stubbins, F.G.S., F.RM.S. (Vice-President), in the chair. 



RELICS FOUND IN TORKSHIRE CAVES. 

 REV. EDWARD JONES. 



Caves, it was shown, are almost entirely confined to the limestone 

 districts ; the reason for this is the endurability of the limestone's 

 chemical constituents, which also act as a potent preservative of animal 

 remains, &c. Caves may be looked at, firstly, from their physical condition ; 

 and secondly, and more particularly, as interesting to naturalists from 

 their collections of remains of animals, many of which are now quite 

 extinct, or extinct to this part of the world ; also others which have been 

 the progenitors of some of the present fauna. Eeferences were made to 

 the cave at Kirkdale, near York, and the Victoria Cave of Settle, both 

 of which have been well worked and given valuable results ; but the 

 main attention was directed to the cave found a short while ago at 

 Elbolton or Thorp, which is situated ten miles north of Skipton and 

 two miles from Grassington. Through the energy of the president and 

 members of the Skipton Natural History Society, this cave, which, 

 iu fact, has been handed over to them, has been worked with great 



