TAYLOR : niUTUARY NOTICE — W. P. ROEBUCK. 39 



of the Clul), a compliment which he highly valued, 



Mr. Roebuck was also the inspiring spirit which evolved " The 

 Yorkshire Naturalists' Union," an organization of upwards of forty 

 local Natural History Societies, and second only in influence and 

 importance to the British Association. 



On his retirement from the Honorary Secretariat in 1902, after 

 eighteen years service, he was elected to the Presidential Chair, and 

 the members further evidenced their appreciation of his services by 

 presenting him with a very handsome testimonial and a beautifully 

 illuminated address. 



Mr. Roebuck was furthermore the instigator of the Lincolnshire 

 Naturalists' Union, in whose prosperity and efficiency he took a lively 

 interest, attending most of its meetings and excursions. In 1909 he 

 was chosen President, and in commemoration of his occupancy of 

 the post, the Society published in its Transactions for 19 15 an admir- 

 able memoir of his life and work by the Rev. E. Adrian Woodruffe- 

 Peacock, accompanied by an excellent portrait in University robes. 



In 1870 he was also associated in the institution and organization of 

 the Leeds Naturalists' Field Club, of which he was Secretary for a great 

 number of years. While occupying that post, and that of recording 

 officer, he compiled a large number of volumes of classified records 

 of all forms of life existing in Yorkshire. He also occupied the 

 Presidential Chair. 



A very graceful and fitting recognition of his life-long devotion to 

 science was made in July, 1915, when the University of Leeds publicly 

 bestowed upon him the honorary degree of Master of Science. 



He was intimately acquainted with every part of Yorkshire and 

 Lincolnshire, and had a sound knowledge of many other parts of the 

 country. In 1902-4 he travelled extensively abroad, visiting Aus- 

 tralia, New Zealand, Northern India, South Africa, Egypt, etc., 

 making many interesting discoveries of European moUusks which 

 had been unwittingly introduced into and become acclimatized in 

 these countries and were dispossessing the prior occupants. 



His public spirit in accumulating for the use of others the enor- 

 mous masses of classified information can scarcely be overestimated, 

 so that it can be truly said that though he has left us, he still speaks 

 to us and helps us as of yore. We shall all miss his inspiring help, 

 wise counsel and encouragement in all good work we may liereafter 

 engage upon, but no one of his many friends and admirers will miss 

 him more than the writer of this inadequate notice, who for a lifetime 

 was intimately associated with and dearly valued his friendship. 



The remains were cremated on P'ebruary 19th at Lawnswood 

 Cemetery, Leeds, and the number who attended attested to the 

 respect and esteem in which he was held. 



