NOTES AND COMMENTS. 
RECOGNITION OF NATURAL HISTORY WORK. 
The word ‘research’ has recently become so intimately 
connected with our great universities, that the conscientious 
work of the amateur field naturalist is apt to be almost over- 
looked, even by the greater seats of learning which often 
depend so much on the work of the field naturalist for the 
basis of their researches. Such a charge cannot be laid at the 
doors of the University of Leeds, which has so generously 
appreciated the work of the Yorkshire Naturalists’ Union by 
conferring the degree of Doctor of Science upon one of the 
Union’s past presidents, and the degree of Master of Science 
upon others of the Union’s prominent workers. 
A REED DAY.” 
July 3rd can be recorded as a real ‘ field day’ for Yorkshire 
naturalists, who packed the great hall at the University to 
witness the impressive ceremony on that occasion. All felt 
that the Union had been greatly honoured by the University, 
and the honour is certainly appreciated. Below we reprint 
the addresses given by the respective Professors on presenting 
the candidates to the Chancellor, the Duke of Devonshire. 
Professor Cohen introduced Mr. Harold Wager; Professor P. I. 
Kendall presented Mr. Sheppard ; and the others were presented 
by Professor Garstang. Personally we consider that some of 
the remarks were exceedingly encouraging and flatte1ing, and 
one member was heard to remark that they savoured of pre- 
mature obituary notices ! However, we are pleased to preserve 
the addresses in the Union’s official organ. 
THE LEEDS UNIVERSITY AND YORKSHIRE NATURALISTS. 
In introducing the members of the Yorkshire Naturalists’ 
Union to receive honorary degrees, Professor Garstang, stated : 
The study of nature cannot be restricted within the walls of 
universities and laboratories. Certain aspects of the subject, 
it is true, can only be effectively pursued under these con- 
ditions, but there are vast fields of knowledge only to be gar- 
nered by outdoor study. These fields are open to all, and 
Britain is distinguished among all the countries of the world 
by the abundance of the scientific work carried out, and the 
value of the discoveries made by her long succession of dis- 
tinguished amateurs. Yorkshire has ever been to the fore in 
this spontaneous growth of scientific zeal, and in the Yorkshire 
Naturalists’ Union we have one of the most striking examples 
of organised effort to explore the fields which lie open for in- 
vestigation in a great and varied locality. In the forty local 
1915 Aug. 1. 
Q 
