82 
PROCEEDINGS 1839 — 1840. 
william occupied the chair, and gave an address, in which the follow- 
ing passages occur : — ' When last we had the pleasure of meeting 
here, our Society had not assumed a ver)^ solid form ; but from what 
I have observed and heard of the proceedings at other places since 
that time, I have derived much gratification, and feel now an assur- 
ance that we shall assume that position which will enable us to 
confer great and lasting benefit on the country with which we are 
connected. I well remember that at that time a notion was enter- 
tained that this was a society the sole object of which was to advance 
the knowledge and interests of those who were more particularly 
connected with collieries. Upon the present occasion I believe we 
shall have a practical refutation of the idea that our views are con- 
fined.to such limited objects, for I understand that in the course of 
our discussion this morning you will have one paper, at least, read, 
which has a very different object in view, and which will tend rather 
to show the connection which geology has with the cultivation of the 
earth itself. And I trust too, if we are not led to do so on the 
present occasion, yet that in the course of time we may pursue our 
operations in other parts of the Riding which are unconnected with 
the coal-field. I mean that part in which what is called the Mountain 
Limestone particularly prevails. I am not sure whether our excellent 
friend Professor Sedgwick is just now in the room, but every one will 
feel great gratification in learning that he is in the town, and 1 trust 
that, in addition to the general information which he will be able to 
give you, he will particularly advert to that part which forms much 
the largest portion of the Riding of which he is a most distinguished 
native and ornament.' 
The annual report showed that the number of members had 
increased from 200 to 280 during the year, and that there was a 
balance in the hands of the treasurer of about £150. The annual 
subscription had hitherto been 10s. 6d. ; it was now decided to make 
an extra charge of 2s. 6d. to cover the cost of the proceedings of 
the Society, and to issue them periodically so that the members might 
have a permanent record of the papers that were read, and the dis- 
cussions that took place. 
In the Geological department valuable contributions had been 
