432 The Yorkshire Naturalists’ Union. 
specimens collected on several distinct lines of route converging on one 
common centre, were obvious. These considerations, and the accession 
to the Union of Societies so far away from the old centre, as Bradford, York 
and Selby, as well as the rise of a new and more scientific race of naturalists,. 
brought about a reconsideration of the whole position of affairs. The more 
active thinkers of the society formulated a scheme of reform, which was 
carried into effect at the end of 1876. 
This re-organisation of 1876 took cognisance of several important 
points. The area of the operation of the federation was to be extended 
to take the whole county, and the name was accordingly changed and 
shortened to the ‘ Yorkshire Naturalists’ Union,’ at Pontefract, on the 
2nd of April, 1877. The sectional system was introduced with the view 
of ensuring a more complete and scientific examination of the material 
collected, and the saving of time at the general meeting by the sections 
reporting only on the broad results and the more important discoveries 
of the day. The excursions were to be made more definite and precise 
in their scope, the area investigated being restricted and properly defined, 
and a programme or circular printed for each. At the beginning there 
was the danger of the pic-nic and sight-seeing element being introduced, 
but the members at the opening excursion of 1877 proved themselves 
wiser than their leaders, and promptly and emphatically laid it down that 
there were to be no sight-seeing arrangements made, no field lecturing, 
and, in short, nothing to interfere with the active personal investigation. 
On these lines the excursions have ever since been conducted, and have, 
on the whole, been remarkably successful. The Union has been able to 
show that it is perfectly practicable for real scientific investigation to 
be carried out on field excursions. The failures in this direction complained 
of by societies in other parts of England are the usual result of the neglect 
of these precautions. The establishment of sections and sectional meetings. 
to precede the general one has resulted in the saving of time at the latter, 
and of greater scientific accuracy in recording. The character of the 
annual meeting also received special attention. It was felt that it should 
include more than mere business, and should be, as far as possible, an 
occasion for a social gathering of the members. For this reason a different 
town is selected each year, always by invitation, the inviting society 
organising a reception and conversazione. 
The status of the Presidency of the Union arose in this connection, 
and it was from the outset deemed desirable that a combination of scientific 
eminence with Yorkshire connection should be aimed at, that the President 
should be an acknowledged leader in his subject, capable of delivering. 
an address to the members at the annual meeting, and it also is a point 
that the President should be a Yorkshireman by birth, residence, associa- 
tion, or some connection. Thus the Union has had a series of Presidents 
who have rendered service to Yorkshire science in various ways. 
Among the past Presidents are the names of the late Dr. Clifton Sorby, 
Professor Williamson, Dr. W. H. Dallinger, W. H. Huddleston, Dr. 
Walsham Howe (the Bishop of Wakefield), Professor A. H. Green, C. P. 
Hobkirk, J. Cordeaux, and Sir Michael Foster ; whilst among the living 
scientists who have occupied the chair are :—Professor A. C. Seward, M.A., 
F.R.S., Rev. William Fowler, M.A., Mr. J. Gilbert Baker, F.R.S., F.L.S., 
Right Hon. Lord Walsingham, M.A., F.R.S., Sir Ralph Payne-Gallwey, 
Bart:, M.B.O.U., Mr. H. Eeles Dresser, F.L.S., F.Z.S., Mr. R. H. Tidde- 
man, M.A., F.G.S., Mr. Robert Braithwaite, M.D., F.L.S., Professor W. 
Boyd Dawkins, M.A., F.R.S., Mr. William West, F.L.S., Mr. G. T. Porritt, 
F.L.S., F.E.S., Professor P. F. Kendall, M.Sc., F.G.S., Mr. W. Denison 
Roebuck, F.L.S., Mr. A. H. Pawson, J-P., F-L.S5°F:G.S. MeGaae 
Lamplugh, F.R.S., F.G.S., Mr. W. Eagle Clarke, F.R.S.E., Mr. C. Cross- 
land, F.L.S., Dr. Wheelton Hind, B.Sc., F.G.S., and Mr. W. H. St. Quintin, 
EZS 
esize near aPenc_, 
Naturalist, 
