LUKIS : GEOLOGY AND ARCHEOLOGY. 
159 
absorbed in matters relating* to practical engineering ; and those 
among" us who reside on the extreme eastern verge of the Riding-, 
far removed from the great centres of mineral wealth and industrial 
activity, cannot be expected to take the most lively pleasure in 
viewing and considering the consecutive order, the dip, the contor- 
tions and the faults of strata ; in discoveries of new coal and iron- 
stone beds, and lead veins ; or in new and ingenious mechanical 
contrivances for extracting minerals from the earth, and making 
them fit for man's use. 
But under the farther title of Polytechnic, much is included 
that might be thought, and perhaps has been thought, outside the 
society's field of operations, and awakens the interest of non- 
geologists. Archaeology, e.g. in many of its bearings is so inter- 
woven with, or rather dovetailed into geology, mineralogy, and the 
arts and sciences, that it cannot be entirely excluded, and the 
society has wisely opened its portals to it. It is true that in its 
origin the Institution was founded for the purpose of directing the 
studies of its members to those subjects which have special reference 
to the geolog}^ and industries of the West-Riding of Yorkshire, and 
for many years this object was kept steadily in view, but after a 
while one member, and then another, without protest from the 
governing body, gave papers on British, Roman, and other remains, 
not fouud in the county, some of which papers bore in no sense 
upon the geology and industries of the Riding. I confess I was one 
of the culprits in 1869, at which period an unusual number of alien 
subjects were introduced, and no doubt I was one of the main 
causes of a desire on the part of the Council, in 1872, to restore the 
society to what was conceived to be its original legitimate work. 
I have said above that there are questions relating to 
manufacturers and industry generally, which, being arch geological, 
are not unworthy of the society's recognition or inconsistent with 
its aim. The tools and weapons of the primitive inhabitants of 
Yorkshire, and the materials with which they have been formed ; 
the clothing which covered the people, whether manufactured out 
of woollen stuff or leather ; tlie art of the primeval potter ; the 
implements employed in agricultural and mining purposes; what 
