Sn Blemoriam. 
Jo WeDANVIS, FLAS. PGS. ¥ SoA, Ete. 
TuE death of Mr. J. W. Davis, of Halifax, to which brief reference 
was made in ‘The Naturalist’ for September, has created a wide- 
spread feeling of regret among Yorkshire naturalists of all classes, 
and has left a gap in the ranks of the more earnest workers that will 
not be easily or readily filled up. His long and official connection 
with the Yorkshire Naturalists’ Union and the Yorkshire Geological 
and Polytechnic Society, and other local scientific bodies, made his 
tall and erect figure a familiar one to almost every naturalist in the 
county, and such was the impression made upon those who were 
brought into contact with him, that there are probably few who do not 
feel that in him they have lost an energetic co-worker and a valuable 
and trusty friend. Already several sketches of his life, his 
characteristics, and his work have appeared in various journals, but 
his close connection with the societies to which many of the readers 
of ‘The Naturalist’ belong, make it desirable that we should add 
a further tribute to his memory and place on record our appreciation 
of his scientific labours and the impressions his personality made 
upon those who had the privilege of enjoying his most intimate 
friendship. 
_ It is now generally known that, descended from an old 
Gloucestershire family, he was born in the neighbourhood of Leeds 
On April 15th, 1846, and that from his youth up he manifested — 
@ strong and intelligent interest in natural history pursuits. One 
__ who knew him while still in his teens, and before his removal to 
_ Halifax, often recalls the fact that even then he displayed great force 
and individuality of character, and had always some clearly-defined 
_ object in view which he pursued with a will and an energy that 
: _ Speedily brought it withi in his grasp. At an early peri ake’ cadienil : : oo 
_ the value of the friendship of congenial spirits, and was honorary _ 
ihe: still kept a his connection with scientific friends in Leeds. 
Fate, HES, Md 
ve ck he : 
: association, “which included in its membership. the late Mr. James — 
_ Abbott, Messrs. F, A. Lees, W. Todd, and T. sel and after its 
a we csi with the . Club, which « 
Secretary of a small Natural History Society which used to meet in _ a = 
the old Assembly Rooms, near Call Lane. — On his removal — 
which included Messrs, W. P. ‘Sladen, W. Cash, and J. Stubbins, Vee 
