296 In Memoriam: James Needham. 
He was as much enamoured with the mosses as with the 
fungi; the former of which he could work at in winter. 
Though the moss flora of his district had been closely investi- 
gated by John Nowell, Todmorden ; Samuel Gibson, of Hebden 
Bridge; A. Stansfield, Todmorden, and others, Needham 
succeeded in adding to the local flora var. ampliretis of Philo- 
notis fontana, new to Britain; several types and varieties of 
mosses new to Yorkshire, and 14 or 15 others. In the liverworts 
Jubula Hutchinsia was a valuable new Yorkshire record. He 
was justly proud of this discovery, and visited the place several 
times each year, rejoicing to see it continuing to grow in great 
luxuriance. 
Naturalists visiting the Hebden Valley and Crimsworth dean 
always found in him a cheerful, capable, and informative 
guide to the botany of those areas. .Needham always used 
discretion as to what he should show them. From the veal 
student of nature none of his discoveries were hid; to such he 
has often been very helpful in procuring material, fungi particu- 
larly, for special study. In recent years various Universities 
and Institutions have found in him a very able collector. 
Many school teachers sought his assistance and he was 
never weary or chary of imparting to them the knowledge he 
had gained by hard and persistent study. He was always ready 
and willing to give his specimens to those likely to be interested 
in them. 
He knew every nook and corner throughout the whole 
length of both the valley and the dean. For many years 
he had special leave from Mr. Lipscombe, Lord Savile’s agent, 
to explore any part of the Savile estates. 
He was greatly in request when Literary and Scientific 
Societies and kindred bodies visited the Hebden Bridge district. 
The following incident shows the esteem in which he was held. 
After a ramble in July, 1895, he received a packet with the 
inscription ‘ Kindly accept the microscope as a memento of a 
pleasant day spent in Crimsworth Dean on Saturday, July 6th, 
under your leadership, and as an expression of hearty good 
wishes for further successes in your researches for micro-fungi.— 
July 6th, 1895.’ 
His home became a treasure house of botanical specimens, 
mosses particularly, arranged with scrupulous care, and in 
chem he took a great pride. The walls of his room were closely 
hung round with framed mounted specimens. Some years ago 
a few local gentlemen and Societies, on the initiation of Messrs. 
John Clay and Joseph Greenwood, combined and purchased 
Needham’s collection. By permission of the Governors, the 
specimens were temporarily stored in the Secondary School 
buildings until some definite arrangements could be made to 
utilise them to the best advantage. At present they are vested 
Naturalist, 
