96 SCIENTIFIC SURVEY OF LEICESTER AND DISTRICT 
that he was in possession of the whole of the MSS. of the late James 
Harley.?® 
While Mr. Harley’s notes were in the hands of Section E,?° Mr. F. T. 
Mott put before Section D, the other biological Section which studied 
Botany and Zoology, the MS. of Mr. John Plant’s Catalogue of Leicester- 
shire Mollusca, with the author’s comments and with hisown. Mr. Plant’s 
catalogue gave eighty-two species. It wascompletedin1850. It referred 
to two lists, one by the poet, the Rev. George Crabbe, of shells found near 
Belvoir,” and one of shells found near Congerstone by the Rev. A. Bloxam.” 
Six persons are named as finding certain Mollusca, among them ‘ my 
friend, Mr. James Harley.’ Three manuals of Conchology #? and 
Pennant’s British Zoology are referred to. 
The references to, or rather the indications of, old-time students of 
science, in the preceding paragraphs seem to be pertinent to the purpose 
of these pages, which is to give an account in an historical sketch of the 
study of science in Leicestershire. ‘These men gave their minds to their 
studies without having the encouraging suggestion or the assistance 
afforded by an already existing Society. Because there were such men 
it was possible for a Society such as the Leicester Literary and Philo- 
sophical Society to be founded and to be strengthened and increased by 
the formation of its ‘ Sections’ for the study of particular branches of 
science. 
The original scientific Sections for Geology, Botany and Zoology were 
founded in 1849. In 1850-51 two were added: one for Meteorology, 
and one for Chemistry and General Physics. These were less permanent. 
The Section for Meteorology became Meteorology and General Physics 
in 1871, but it ended in 1882. Chemistry and General Physics went under 
that name or as ‘ Chemistry ’ till 1870. Then it vanished, but reappeared 
in 1883 in a new Section for Astronomy, Physics and Chemistry. 
The Meteorological Section began its work in 1850, the year in which 
the Royal Meteorological Society was founded in London by Mr. Glaisher. 
He selected the instruments, which at first were only barometer, thermo- 
meter and rain gauge. They were kept at the Museum. In 1873-74 
the Rev. A. Mackennal was chairman of this Section. On his advice 
the Museum Committee of the Town Council purchased a complete set 
19 James Harley was a notable man, much thought of by those who knew him. 
He lectured to the Society four times in 1844-1858. His lecture on his friend 
and correspondent, the great ornithologist, the late Prof. Macgillivray, was 
published in the Society’s volume of selected lectures, 1855. The death of the 
well-known naturalist, Mr. James Harley, was spoken of in the Annual Meeting, 
1861. “J. Harley’ was an active member of the Society (see lists of officers) 
between 1844 and 1853. Ina list of dates of arrival of summer birds in Leicester- 
shire Mr. Montagu Browne states that the dates between 1843-55 are from 
Harley’s MSS. (Tvansactions, i (1889), Parti, 27). 
20 No date is given. The text is in vol. i, Part ii, of the Tvansactions, 1887. 
*1 Nichols, vol. i, p. cxci. 
22 This is in the Analyst. 
*8 In the Shorter Oxford Dictionary the first known use of the word ‘ Conchology ’ 
is 1776, of ‘ Mollusk’ and ‘ Mollusca’ 1783. 
*4 A Section for Chemistry began again in 1924-25, and a Section for Physics 
in 1926-27. 
