130 



The Naturalist. 



some itinerant professor, and can satisfy the examiners tliat they 

 do possess sufficient knowledge for their peculiar station in life, as to 

 their innermost pulsations and ultimate neuro-ramifications. It is not 

 however, the object of this paper to follow either in cause or effect the 

 results of such broad-cast natural history, but rather to show the 

 origin and modes of working of field naturalists in societies, and the 

 advantages derived from a general union of such societies, which shall 

 at various meetings in their county, at specially selected spots discuss 

 and place on record the observations of the different sections from 

 time to time. 



In the early part of this century the formation of philosophical and 

 literary societies did good work in arousing attention to the study of 

 natural science and by collecting in their precincts museums, at the 

 same time providing lectures for the instruction of general audiences, 

 •who required that the subject should of necessity be lowered %o the 

 level of their existing state of ignorance. It was therefore in the 

 hands of a few only to investigate and teach. There were many, how- 

 ever, who, pent up day by day in the dingy offices and the dull shops 

 of our large towns, longed for a more intimate knowledge and deeper 

 personal acquaintance with nature as it worked in its reality. Their 

 appetite for such was, however, not appeased — though probably 

 considerably whetted — by the demonstrations of the periodic lecturer. 

 To supply this want, Natural History societies were started by those 

 who felt the want the most, and whom, I fear, have rather been 

 despised than assisted by their " Philosophical brethren " in their 

 more stately habiliments. The might of right, however, always 

 flourishes by opposition, and many a working man and cottager meet 

 agreeably on equal footing the professional man, or retired gentleman 

 for a pleasant evening's chat, interesting and instructive alike to 

 each — especially the latter. In Yorkshire many such societies have 

 had their origin, and have bravely struggled on amidst damping clouds 

 of quiet contempt, kept together mainly by that guiding star, 

 enthusiasm, thirsting after hidden knowledge and concealed revelation. 

 The first attempt to amalgamate and give a common object to the 

 working of Naturalists' Field Clubs in Yorkshire was brought about 

 under the title of the " West Riding Consolidated Naturalists' 

 Society," whose object it was to investigate the fauna and flora of 

 the West Riding, and meet for discussion. Unfortunately, however, 

 the utility of their work is entirely lost, there being no medium in 

 which their observations could be recorded and preserved. About the ' 

 year 1876 — stimulated by that energy which is the happy instigator 



