PROCEEDINGS 
OF THE 
GEOLOGICAL AND POLYTECHNIC SOCIETY 
©f tfje OTest ftfefog of ffotftsfjire, 
AT THE FIFTY-FIRST (THE ANNUAL GENERAL) MEETING, HELD 
IN THE PHILOSOPHICAL HALL, LEEDS, ON THURSDAY, MARCH 17TH, 1859, 
AT TWELVE O'CLOCK AT NOON. 
John Hope Shaw, Esq., in the Chair. 
The Chairman in opening the proceedings expressed 
his regret that there were not more present, but remarked 
that the Society must not be judged merely by those 
attending its annual meetings, as it exercised a very 
important influence by means of its published transactions. 
He suggested, however, whether it would not be better in 
future to hold their meetings in the evening, after which 
he alluded to the union of the Yorkshire Philosophical and 
Scientific Societies, as proposed during the meeting of the 
British Association in Leeds, expressing the hope that, 
though such a union was postponed for the present, it would 
hereafter be realised, believing it would be for the benefit 
of their members and of science generally. 
