218 



The Naturalist. 



cliair at the general meeting was occupied by the president, the Right 

 Hoo, Lord Walsingham, and the Union was honoured by the presence of 

 the Hons. G,, Herbert, and Arthur Maxwell- Stuart. The minutes 

 of the Roche Abbey meeting having been read and confirmed, the roll of 

 societies was called. It was found that 21 societies were represented, 

 viz : — Huddersfield, Heckmondwike, Barnsley, Wakefield, Elland-cum- 

 Greetland, Leeds (3), Liversedge, Goole, York (2), Selby, Hull (2). 

 Dewsbury, Malton, Doncaster (2), Scarborough, and Bradford CMicro- 

 scopical Society). The attendance of individual members was con- 

 siderably over a hundred. The president, in his opening remarks, 

 after thanking the Union for his election, observed that it was difficult to 

 exaggerate the amount of good which such associations are capable of 

 ejSecting, Not only do they afford to those who live in towns the much- 

 needed means of becoming acquainted with those delight^ which are 

 especially associated with country life — too often hidden from many 

 throughout the greater part of their lives by a veil of smoke — but they 

 contribute greatly to the cultivation of scientific tastes and enlist numerous 

 workers, whose united exertions in the field of science cannot fail to throw 

 at least occasional gleams of light upon some of the many interesting 

 problems connected with natural history which are perpetually presenting 

 themselves for solution. He then said that everything connected with 

 the county possessed the utmost interest for him, and he rejoiced to be 

 able to share with his Yorkshire neighbours those healthful pursuits and 

 interests which afford so large a measure of contentment and happiness 

 to all who know their value ; and which at the same time are by no means 

 wasted if they contribute ever so little to that great structure of know- 

 ledge which inch by inch and atom by atom scientific research throughout 

 the world is continually engaged in strengthening and enlarging, unde- 

 terred by the reflection that to finish and complete it must be through all 

 time a task beyond the range of human powers. His lordship concluded 

 by urging the claims of the Union to further support, especially from the 

 associates. The following new members were then elected :— Misses 

 Frances A. and Mary A. B. Crossley of Maltby ; Miss Edith Milner of 

 Bishopthorpe, near York ; Messrs. T. Carter Mitchell of Topchffe, Robt. 

 Peach of Harrogate, Richard Thompson of York, W. H. Hudleston, 

 M.A., J.P., F.RS., &c., of Weybridge, J. Lee Cover of Sherburn, 

 Philip Sewell of Whitby, and Major B. B. Thompson of Harrogate. It 

 was unanimously and heartily resolved, on the motion of Dr. H. F. 

 Parsons, F.G. S. (an old member whom all were pleased again to see), 

 seconded by Mr. C. P. Hobkirk, F.L.S., of Dewsbury, that the best 

 thanks of the Union be voted to the Hon. H. C. Maxwell-Stuart, J. P., 

 of Scarthingwell, to Mr. C. W. W^heler, J. P., of Ledstone Park, and 

 to the Ecclesiastical Commissioners, for the permission so readily accorded 

 to the members to visit their respective estates. Mr. Maxwell-Stuart 

 replied, after which thanks were voted to Major Thompson, Mr. B. 

 Saynorand Mr. Geo. Roberts for placing their extensive knowledge of 



