COUNCIL FOR 1861 . 
15 
to the inspection of all who are interested in Archaeological 
pursuits. 
While speaking of the Antiquities of York, the Council trust 
that they shall not be considered to exceed their proper pro¬ 
vince, by expressing the high gratification which they have felt 
in witnessing the measures adopted during the past year, for 
preserving and displaying the beauties of the Minster, the 
noblest monument which our Country exhibits of the piety, 
skill, and taste of the Middle Ages. It is satisfactory to observe 
that a feeling of respect for the remains of Antiquity prevails 
among the Citizens at large, as represented by the Municipal 
Body, who have shown, that in carrying out the improvements 
which modern convenience requires, they are not disposed to 
sanction any unnecessary interference with the memorials of 
older times. 
The Curator of Botany has to report no particular additions 
to the Society’s Collection during the year 1861. 
The chief addition to the Geological Collection, calling for 
special mention, is the numerous Series of Fossils already re¬ 
ferred to as having been purchased from Mr. John Bainbridge. 
This Collection comprises a great number of fine Specimens 
from the Strata of Yorkshire, some of them hitherto wanting to 
the Society’s Collection, others in better condition, or otherwise 
preferable to those already in our possession. Amongst these 
may he noticed especially the beautiful series of Saurian Teeth, 
from the Coralline Oolite of Malton, of which the Museum was 
previously almost destitute ; the Collection also included fine 
Ammonites, Fishes, and Saurian Remains, from the Lias of 
Yorkshire, and many valuable specimens from other beds. The 
Fossils from other parts of the country included a fine series 
from the Silurian Strata of Dudley and Ludlow, some beautiful 
Encrinites and Fishes from the Lias of Lyme Regis, and some 
magnificent fragments of the gigantic fish of the Carboniferous 
period, the Megalichthys Hihherti, from the Coal Shales of 
Burdie House, near Edinburgh. Mr. John Francis Walker, of 
Gillygate, has presented the Society with numerous Oolitic 
Fossils, from the beds in the neighbourhood of Cirencester. 
To the Mineralogical Collections no additions of import¬ 
ance have been made during the past year. 
