In Memoriam: William Cash, F.G.S. 29 
Though his earliest papers referred to the mollusca (so 
long ago as 1877 he wrote on the Carboniferous Cephalopoda) 
he soon became deeply interested in the fossil plants which 
occur in such a remarkable state of preservation in the ‘ Hard 
Bed’ of Halifax. His researches among these—largely with 
the aid of the microscope—are of world-wide reputation, and 
in 1892 a French palobotanist dedicated a work on ‘ Lepido- 
dendron selaginoides’ to Mr. Cash. 
Most of his scientific work has been in elucidating the 
structure of Coal Measure plants, in connection with which he 
worked with Williamson, Hick and others, appreciative obituary 
notices of whom it was his lot to write. In The Naturalist 
for 1906 he gave valuable instruction on “ What and How to 
Observe, Collect and Record,’ in the way of coal fossils. His 
first contribution to our journal was made in 1881, his last in 
1912. His most important papers on coal plants appeared in 
the Proceedings of the Yorkshire Geological Society, which 
he at one time edited ; he had also filled the office of Treasurer 
to that Society. 
In view of his work in the county, the Yorkshire Naturalists’ 
Union recently elected him an honorary life member ; he had 
previously occupied official positions on its committees. 
He was one of the founders of the Halifax Scientific Society, 
and had been its President. He was also President of the 
Halifax Geological Field Club, and was at one time Treasurer 
to the Habiax Literary and Philosophical Society. He was 
formerly a Governor of the Halifax Museum, and latterly was 
its honorary curator. He also took a prominent part in the 
promotion of a Public Library for Halifax, and between 1883 
and 1892 was a member of the School Board, being Chairman 
in 1889. He wasan honorary member of the Bradford Natural 
History Society, and of the Halifax Scientific Society, and a life 
member, and one time President of the Conchological Society. 
He was elected a Fellow of the Geological Society in 1873. 
In recent years he has done good service by giving popular 
lectures, in connection with which he paid frequent visits 
to various parts of the county. 
His fine collection of micro-preparations of the coal plants— 
about 700 in all—known as the “ Cash Collection,’ has been for 
some time in the University Museum, Manchester. He has 
also supplied specimens to the national collection at South 
Kensington. At the time of his death he was assisting Prof. 
Kendall in some researches in connection with Yorkshire Coal 
Measures. 
In 1giI it gave pleasure to many of his friends to learn that 
he had received a Civil List Pension ; and he also was awarded 
a grant from the Murdoch Trust of Scotland. 
Mr. Cash leaves a son, who is in America, and a daughter, 
1915 Jan. 1. 
