20 
YORKSHIRE NATURALISTS' UXIOX. 
The " Naturalist " has been in the hands of subscribers 
punctually at the beg-innin^ of each month, and by them heartily 
welcomed. That it maintains its stand as a long- way the leading- 
Natural History Journal in the North of Eng-land goes without 
saying' ; and its permanent excellence alike as to matter, plates 
and other illustrations seems to be now well assured. In Mr. 
Woodhead's absence from England, the work in connection with 
the Journal has naturally fallen almost entirely on his colleague, 
and the thanks of the Union are due to Mr. Sheppard for the 
extra labour it must have entailed to keep up so high a 
standard of merit. 
The Presidency for 1906 has been offered to and accepted 
by Mr. W. Eagle Clarke, F.R.S.E., F.L.S., of the Royal 
Scottish Museum, Edinburgh. 
The Financial Position of the Union.— The finances 
for the year are not quite so satisfactor}'. The general account of 
receipts and payments, including the Naturalist," shows a loss 
on the year of ;^3i 13s. iid. The expenses have been higher in 
the items of transactions and publications. In addition to this, 
£2)^ owing to the Secretary for clerical assistance, making a 
total of £62 13s. I id., of which sum £^2> 4^- belongs to the 
"Naturalist," and represents the year's loss on it. The loss on 
the "Naturalist," which last year was £.ig i8s. iid., has been 
increased to £43 i8s. 4d., but the subscriptions in arrears are 
;^'io more than last year, so that relatively the loss is £1,^ against 
£ig last year. The income from subscriptions is the same, and 
receipts from advertisements are ;^^i5 less. The arrangement 
with Messrs. Brown & Sons will relieve the Unioil of further risk 
of loss on the " Naturalist," which is now a very satisfactory 
publication, and will no doubt become a good property. The 
general Balance Sheet of assets and liabilities shows an adverse 
balance against the Union of £21 i8s. 5d. Subscriptions are 
£^1 in arrears compared with only £^j last year. There is 
£60 8s. 5d. owing to the Hon. Treasurer in addition to the Hon. 
Secretary's claim for clerical assistance. 
The Secretaryship. —The Hon. Secretary complains of the 
amount of clerical work that is involved — much of which would be 
unnecessary if members would send their subscriptions, &c. , 
promptly. Your executive feel that it only requires the attention 
of the members called to the matter in order to have the desired 
effect. 
