Tluis the Heckinondwike Xaliiralists' Socicly, and the conl'ederalion of 
local societies which is now the \'orkshirc Naturalists' Unicjn, were founded at 
the same place and virtually about the same time. 
Moreover it is to the glory of the I leckmondwike Society, which was 
thus associated with the Union at its inception, that it is the only Society whicli 
has uninterruptedly maintained its connection with the Union from that day to 
this, a jjeriod of lialf-a-century. 
Further than this, the headquarters of the Union were at I leckmondwike 
during its first two years, 1861 and 1862, Mr. Jatnes Ellis of that place being 
then honorary Secietary. The head(|uarters were again at Heckmondwike from 
1870 to 1877, under the Secretaryship of Mr. J. M. Barber, to whose memory the 
gratitude of the Union is due for his fostering care of the infant organization. 
Not only did Heckmondwike fuinish the first Secretary, but in 1870, when 
the office of President was first instituted, it was occupied by a liecktfiondwike 
member, Mr. T. H. Oilfield. 
May it be hoped that the I leckmondwike Naturalists' Society may long 
flourish as the premier Society in our Union ! 
During this first period of the existence of the Union, its name was the 
"West Riding Consolidated Naturalists' Society,'" and its printed constitution 
(about 1863) staled its object to be " the effectual advancement of Natural Science," 
for, by the various Societies "meeting together, having a kindly interchange of 
thought, and becoming acquainted with the natural history of the districts of each 
other, a more rapia dissemination of knowledge is attained, and facilities aflForded 
for the better acquisition, exhibition, and exchange of specimens.'" 
The organization of the VV. R. C, N. S. was very simple. F"or the first nine 
years there was only one office-bearer, the Secretary. No President was found 
necessary, the duties of that office devolving u\}on tlie President of the Society 
established at the place of meeting. Tiie financial l)asis was, as it still in ]>art is, 
a contribution from each Society of a penny per member. 
The meetings during the first four years were indoors, but the attendance 
falling off, in 1866 outdoor field meetings were instituted. This was found to revive 
the enthusiasm of the earliest years, which iiad waned ; and henceforward the 
meetings were popular, well-attended, and proved exceedingly useful in bringing 
naturalists together to their mutual benefit. 
To understand the general method of procedure at the W. R. C. N. S* 
meetings, at all events during the period 1870 to 1876, it should be borne in mind 
that it was a lualking Society. All the Societies were within walking distance o 
each other and all excursions were arranged within the area covered Ijy the Societies, 
which were all in or near the South-west corner of the West Riding, Leeds being 
the furthest place represented. 
The practice was for members to converge upon the place fixed for meeting, 
collecting as they went — and all the spoils were placed upon the table. Then 
competent botanists were called upon to name the plants, and other members to 
name the insects, the shells, the fossils, etc. 
The disadvantages of these methods were obvious — the waste of time, and 
the want of scientific accuracy caused by mixing specimens gathered on several 
convergent lines of route. 
These considerations, and the accession to the Union of Societies so far away 
as Bradford, York, and Selby, rendered a change inevitable. 
About this time the Leeds Naturalists' Club had been working to good 
l)urpose, with a number of members who have since made reputations, such as 
James Abbott, Thomas Hick, W. Eagle Clarke, John W. Taylor, Edward E. Prince, 
W. Barwell Turner, etc., and their hon. Secretary, Mr. \V. Denison Roebuck, had 
taken part in the W. R. C. N. S., being in 1876 appointed "annalist" 
{i.e. co-secretary with Mr. Barber). 
It is to the far-seeing initiative of Mr. Roebuck that the present constitutioi. 
of the Union is due — and a memorandum which he laid first of all before Messrs. 
(i. T. Porritt and C. P. Hobkirk, and then before other members, embodied all tlu 
