2 
YORKSHIRE NATURALISTS' UNION. 
Topcliffe.— There was a representative gathering at Top- 
cliffe, though as the excursion was only for a day, and the district 
was somewhat out of the way, the scientific results were not so 
marked as on some of the other occasions. Dr. W. G. Smith pre- 
sided, and an opportunity was taken of conveying to him the 
Union's hearty congratulations on his appointment to Edinl)urgh ; 
though, at the same time, his departure from Yorkshire was 
deplored. A party of mycologists spent a week-end in the dis- 
trict, and in this way the report of that section is much more com- 
plete than that of the other sections. A report of the meeting 
appears in " The Naturalist " for July. A subsequent report 
on the Mollusca of Brafferton was printed in " The Naturalist " 
for August. 
Thirteen new members were elected, and three Societies were 
affiliated with the Union. 
Hornsea. — Whit week-end at Hornsea was exceptionally 
well attended ; the whole of the accommodation at the x-Mexan- 
dra Hotel, secured in advance, being insufficient. During the 
three days the district to the North of Hornsea, the Mere, and the 
coast-line were systematically investigated. The Ornithologists 
particularly profited by the facilities offered for studying bird- 
life in the vicinity of Hornsea Mere. An illustrated and lengthy 
report of the meeting aj^pears in " The Naturalist " for August. 
Four new members were elected. 
At this meeting a vote of congratulation was passed to Uord 
Avebury, for his efforts with regard to the Sale of Plumes Bill. 
HampOle. — This Excursion was held on Thursday, July 9th, 
and was but poorly attended. Those present, however, had an en- 
joyable day, and some additions to the known Fauna and Flora 
of the district were made. Lists of species obtained, together 
with a general report of the Excursion, by Mr. Wroot, appeared 
in " The Naturalist " for October. Three new members were 
elected. 
Osmotherley,— During August Bank Holiday week-end there 
was a very representative gathering at Northallerton for Os- 
motherley, and this much-neglected district was carefully exam- 
ined. The accommodation having to be provided at some 
distance from the field of operations had its disadvantages, but, 
by the aid of wagonettes, the party was each day soon on the 
ground. The botanists were particularly in evidence, and, in 
addition to the full and illustrated report in " The Naturalist " 
for November, Mr. T. Gibbs has recorded a new puff-ball for 
Britain in the December number, p. 457. 
One new member was elected. 
