48 HISTORY OF SOCIETIES. 



Ijistoi^r of tj)c Sotictics in our "iUm. 



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I. 



THE DUDLEY AND MIDLAND GEOLOGICAL AND 

 SCIENTIFIC SOCIETY AND FIELD CLUB. 

 The Society under its present name was established in 18G2, bnt for 

 twenty years previously a somewhat similar one, called the Dudley and 

 Midland Geological Society, had been in existence. 



When the Society took its present form Geological investigation was 

 receiving much attention all over the country, and it was natural that its 

 practical application should bo recognised as of the greatest importance 

 to a district so geologically interesting and mineralogically important as 

 the South Staffordshire. Upwards of 500 members were soon drawn 

 together, many of whom received at the early meetings those first 

 impressions of the Sciences, and the impetus to enter on their study with 

 earnestness, which has since yielded valuable results to thcmselveB and 

 others. Mr. John Jones^afterwards of Middlesborough — was the first 

 Honorary Secretary, and rendered the Society most important help. 



In 1865 the British Association visited Birmingham, and tho Dudley 

 Society, by their valuable aid, greatly added to the interest of the 

 meeting. 



In 1866 there was a notable Exhibition at Dudley, which afforded 

 great pleasure and varied instruction to large numbers of visitors. The 

 Earl of Dudley lent his pictures by old masters, and there were good and 

 carefully selected collections of specimens of local arts and manufactures. 

 A handsome j)rofit remained, after the payment of expenses, which was 

 devoted to the purchase of Fossils for the Museum. During this period, 

 the members of the Society occupied much time in conducting the 

 scientific Clubs, attracted by the Exhibition to Dudley, to the many 

 places ot geological interest in the neighboui'hood, and were so much 

 engaged in this way that little time was left for the ordinary work of 

 reading papers and discussion. 



In 1867, a Mine Agents' Association, which afterwards became the 

 South Staffordshire and East Worcestershire Institute of Mining 

 Engineers, originated out of the desire of many of the members of this 

 Society to have frequent opportunities of visiting colheries and works, and 

 to see the practical application of scientific knowledge. Similarly, in 

 1869, a somewhat kindred organisation grew into existence at Wolver- 

 hampton — the South Midland Institute of Civil, Mining, and Mechanical 

 Engineers. Between both these bodies and tho older Society, out of 

 which they may be said to have gi'ovni, the most friendly feeling has 

 always existed. 



A brief but interesting record of the proceedings of the Society is 

 published annually. Two volumes and four parts of the third volume, 

 186'2-lH76, have at present been issued, and otliers are to ft)llow. The 

 Society possesses a Museum very rich in fossils and other Geological 

 specimens, and a good library of scientific books. 



During the summer mouths numerous Field Meetings are held, and 

 increasing interest is manifested in them. They are arranged so as to 

 embrace not only places of Geological interest, but also ruins, interesting 

 churches, and other buildings, places of historical celebrity or natural 

 beauty ; and also afford opportunities for the collection of botanical, 

 entomological, and microscopical specimens. Occasionally during the 



