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YORKSHIRE NATURAIJSTS' UNION. 



in a small way, generally to the upsetting the peace of nilnd of 

 materfamilias, and not very much to our own edification ; but 

 we were young then, and so was science, and tlie trumpet notes 

 of Darwin and Wallace's pupils had not sounded through the 

 schools, and taught us that this was not the end of natural 

 history work. 



Then came the improvements in the microscope, and the 

 general introduction of that instrument into every branch of 

 biological work, and by this means a new impetus was given to 

 examination, and its area extended indefinitely. 









The admirer of the beautiful; and the searclicr after know- 

 ledge, will find in the investigation of natural objects a soul- 

 satisfying occupation that will accompany him to his life's end, 

 and by eliciting truth often demofishing pet theories, but 

 supplying a solid foundation on which all future knowledge may 

 be built. 



Yet I fear something of the old practice still lingers amongst 

 us, for we read now and then of many pounds being paid for a 



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rare moth or shell simply to fill up a gap in a cabinet, and too 

 often the happy possessor knows no more of its life-history than 

 of that o^ the common companions with which it is placed. 



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Such being the case it may be pertinent to ask what our 

 thirty-six Societies arc doing for the study of the fauna and flora 



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of the biggest county in the kingdom? AVe have ample variety 

 of woods and valleys, of rocks and mountains, of rivers and sea- 

 coast, and I trust with so many workers, we are adding to our 

 knowledge of its plants and animals, the area and altitude of 



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r,ot. Trans. Y.N.U., 1891 (pub. ISOO)- 



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