4 
REPORT OF 
the annual expenditure thus saved may be applied to the pur¬ 
chase of books of reference, for the assistance of the Curators 
of natural history and antiquities. 
The Monthly Meetings have been less completely supplied 
with scientific essays than heretofore; a circumstance which 
is the more to be regretted, when the success which has lately 
attended the Evening Conversations is considered. Out of 
the large mass of communications which have thus contri¬ 
buted to the instruction of the members, the Council proposes 
to select for publication those memoirs which, by their bear¬ 
ing on the natural history and antiquarian monuments of 
Yorkshire, of their importance in general science, appear 
worthy of being placed in the hands of the members, and of¬ 
fered to the public. The Transactions of the Yorkshire 
Philosophical Society, thus limited in plan, can never offend 
by their extent; but if frequently published in a modest form, 
and at a low price, may powerfully direct the inquiries of 
the members to the scientific objects of local interest for which 
the institution was originally founded, and by some contri¬ 
butions to the general amount of useful knowledge, deserve 
the approbation of the public. 
It is further proposed that a short Description of the 
Contents of the Museum shall be speedily printed, for the 
assistance of the members, and the numerous strangers who 
now visit the institution. 
The Flora of Yorkshire, by which title it is proposed to 
designate the work on the botany of the county some time 
since commenced by the Sub-curator, is in the press, and will 
be published before the conclusion of the year. 
During the past year, death has removed from us several 
members, and among them one who has left a vacancy in the 
ranks of the Yorkshire Philosophical Society, and in the 
hearts of its members, not easily to be filled. Generous in 
his benefactions, untiring in useful labour, prodigal of time 
and various knowledge for the public good, the memory of 
