salient poinis, the extension of the area to the whole coiinty, the status of the 
Presidency, the estal)lishnient of Sections, the giving of a more scientific directioa 
to the field- excursions, the character of the Annual Meeting and the publication of 
resalts, were all stated in that memorandum, which is still in existence. 
The establishment of Sections, and at a later period of Committees of 
Research, has proved of the utmost value in increasing the scientific worth of the 
Union's work. 
The careful restriction of the area and scope of the Excursions and the 
printing of a detailed circular has promoted the same end. At the beginning there 
was a danger of the introduction of ti)e pic-nic and sight-seeing element, but at the 
opening meeting, held at Poutefract on the 2nd of April, 1877, after the churches of 
that town had been shown, the members proved themselves wiser than their leaders, 
and promptly and emphatically laid it down that there were to be no sight-seeing 
arrangements made, no field-lecturing, or anything else likely to interfere with 
active personal investigation. On these lines the Excursions have ever since been 
conducted, and with remarkable success ; and specialized meetings such as Fungus 
Forays and Marine Biological investigations have proved of great importance. 
The Annual Meetings, held in a different centre each year, have promoted 
the social and personal intercourse of members. 
The status of the Presidency was from the beginning a matter of care. It 
was felt desirable to have a combination of scientific eminence with a direct 
Yorkshire connection ; to have a man of sufficient scientific rank to deliver an 
Annnal Address of value and interest, and at the same time a Yorkshireman by 
birth, residence or other close association. Our valued member, the Rev. Canon 
William FV.vler was the first of a line including such names as Dr. H. CUflon Sorby, 
Prof. W. C. Williamson, Mr. J. Gilbert Baker, Rev. W. H. Uallinger, Lord 
Walsingham, Sir R. Payne-Gallwey, Mr. W. H. Hudleston, Mr. H. E. Dresser, 
the Bishop of Wakefield (Rev. W. Walsham How), Prof. A. H. Green, Mr. C. P. 
Hobkirk, Mr. Henry Seebohm, Mr. R. H. Tiddeman, Dr. Robert Braithwaite, 
Mr. John Cordeaux, Prof. W. Boyd Dawkins, Sir Michael Foster, Mr. Wm. West, 
Mr. G. T. Porritt, Prof. P. F. Kendall, Mr. W. Denison Roebuck, Mr. A. H. 
Pawson, Mr. G. W. Lamplugh, Mr. W. Eagle Clarke, Mr. Chas. Crossland, 
Dr. Wheelton Hind, Mr. W. H. St. Quintin, Prof. A. C. Seward and Mr. Alfred 
Harker. 
The rules were re-drafted in 1883, the changes from those of 1877 being but 
slight, the main one being the establishment of our procedure upon the lines of the 
British Association. The result has been a maximum of scientific result with a 
minimum of friction, and the placing of the government of a scientific society in the 
hands of its scientific members. 
The publications of the Union have consisted of "Transactions" and 
" The Natuialist," and the result of the scientific activity of the Union and its 
members has been the publication of a large amount of most valuable matter, 
restricted to our own county, and so of the more value. 
The Union has been fortunate in associating witli its work the greater 
number of Yorkshire workers in all departments — whose ready and willing aid has 
aided the office-bearers in their arduous labours. Mr. Roebuck was hon. Secretary 
from 1876 to 1901, with successive colleagues in Mr. Geo. Brook, Mr. W. Eagle 
Clarke. Rev. E. P. Knubley, Mr. Edgar R. Waite, and Mr. Edwin Hawkesworth — 
and when he retired it was most fortunate for the Union that there was available so 
able, so capable, so energetic a successor as Mr. Thomas Sheppard, under whose 
administration the Union has fully maintained its high scientific and administrative 
position. May the Union always be as fortunate at the time of need ! 
All that remains to be said is that good as its work has been, excellent as 
have been the results, the Union has never at any time received from the county the 
full amount of financial support that it most emphatically deserves, that it absolutely 
needs. 
Let one result of this Jubilee Meeting be the establishment of the Union 
upon a sound, firm, financial basis. 
