Minute Book 1886-1894
[The minute book measures 20 x 16 cm. Each of the 90 sheets within the book has 20 faint lines, equally spaced, to guide the writer]
Session 1886-87
Annual General Meeting Oct 13 1886
Held in Brown’s Assembly Room, High Street.
In the absence of the President, Dr. J. Mitchell Wilson acted as Chairman. Eight members only were present.
The Secretary having submitted a statement of Accounts Mr. J.G. Walker was requested to audit them & being found correct, the Statement & Annual Report were read to the meeting & adopted.
The following gentlemen were elected officers for the present session.
President – Dr. J. Mitchell Wilson
Vice Presidents – The Rev. Geo. Smith, M.A., The Rev. Canon Brock, Mr. J.M. Kirk, The Rev. W.R. Weston
Committee – Mr. H. Cockill, W. Roberts, The Rev. A.H. Faber, M.A., Mr. J.G. Walker, Mr. T.J. Hasselby, C.H. Loxley.
Hon. Sec. & Treasurer – M.H. Stiles
On assuming his position the President made some very appropriate & suggestive remarks on the present & future work of the Society.
The Secretary announced that an excellent Programme had been arranged to commence on Nov 3 with an Exhibition meeting.
Ordinary Meeting (Exhibition) Nov 3 / 86
Dr. J.M. Wilson, President, in the chair.
Mr. Darker Parker (Bloanhouse) who had been duly nominated & seconded at the previous meeting was elected a member of the Society.
Short Papers or Notes on various subjects were read by the following gentlemen
Polarized Light by Mr. J.M. Kirk
Photomicroscopy by M.H. Stiles
The Wings of Insects by W. Roberts
The Anthrax Bacillus by Dr. J.M. Wilson
Mr. Furnivall also exhibited the Circulation of the Blood under the microscope.
The Papers & demonstrations accompanying them were evidently a[appreciated by an audience of about 21 persons several counter attractions interfering with the attendance of many who would otherwise have been present.
1886
Ordinary meeting Nov 24
Dr. J. Mitchell Wilson (President) in the chair.
Twenty four members & friends were present.
Mr. Chas. Parkin was nominated for membership.
[A paper cutting is pasted into the minute book]
Milk, its Chemical and Microscopic Examination
November 24, 1886
Mr. M.H. Styles read a paper on “Milk, its Chemical and Microscopical Examination,” of which the following is a summary. The value of milk as an article of food, especially for the young, is so universally recognised, that its examination with the view of forming an opinion of its quality and genuineness, becomes a matter of very considerable importance. Average country milk contains from 12 ½ caseine (curds) 4, sugar 4 ¾ and ash (mineral matter) ¾ per cent. Many things influence its quality, more particularly the mode of feeding, the age of the cow, and the length of time she has been in milk. Still the variation takes place within limits which experience shows are fairly well defined, and thus analysts are enabled to decide with tolerable certainty whether a sample is genuine or not. The fat of milk, so well known in the form of butter, occurs as tiny globules enclosed in an membrane partaking of the nature of a cell. These globules vary considerably in size ranging from 1-1,500th to 1-10,000th of an inch in diameter. When milk is allowed to stand they gradually rise to the surface, forming cream. Caseine is the nitrogenous portion of the milk, and consists of caseine proper and albumen, the latter being that part which forms the scum when the milk is boiled. Caseine is easily separated by adding a little vinegar or a small quantity of rennet and gently heating. The curds thus produced contain a large proportion of the fat, which may be removed by washing with ether. The curds containing the fat when pressed into a mould and allowed to undergo a slow fermentation ultimately become cheese. Sugar is left in the whey after the removal of the caseine and fat, the liquid is boiled down to a syrup and set aside for the sugar to crystalise; the crystals are afterwards refined. In the analysis of milk, the first operation is the estimation of the solids. These are obtained by evaporating a small measured or weighed quantity n a platinum capsule over a vessel of boiling water for three hours. The dry residue is weighed together with the dish and the known weight of the later subtracted from the total. This residue, heated to redness until the organic matter is burnt off, leaves a nearly white ash consisting chiefly of lime, soda, potash, phosphoric acid, and chlorine, with a small trace of iron. Probably the most important work in connection with the milk-analysis is the estimation of fat. By Wanklyn’s method, which, substantially, is that generally adopted throughout this country, the dry solids are boiled with successive quantities of ether, and the solution of fat thus obtained gently evaporated in a weighed dish until the ether is driven off. The weight of the residue consisting of the fat, is then taken, or the remaining solids in the platinum dish may be thoroughly dried and weighed, furnishing the solids not fat, the most important factor in determining the amount of water that has been added to adulterated milk. By Wanklyn’s method it has been found that the solids not fat of genuine milk never fall below 9 per cent, and seldom lower than 9.3. Nine per cent, has accordingly been taken as the limit, and any sample of milk yielding less than 9 per cent when analysed by Wanklyn’s process is declared adulterated, the amount of adulteration being determined by the deficiency in the non-fatty solids. The removal of cream is evidenced by the finding of a low percentage of fat, the limit in this case being 2 ½ per cent, although an average milk should certainly give from 3 to 3 ½. The author’s estimation of fat were made by a process differing from Wanklyn’s, a process which he found gave rather higher results, as by it the fat was more completely extracted. The weighed or measured quantity of milk was mixed with about three-fifths of its weight of clean powdered pumice stone in a porcelain dish, and the whole evaporated to dryness; the contents of the dish were removed, powdered in a mortar, then packed in a percolator and tested with cold ether until all the fat was extracted. The ethernal solution of fat is evaporated and weighed as described above. In working this method there was considerable saving both of time and ether. Mr. Stiles also showed how the specific gravity – the comparative weight of equal bulks of milk and water – was taken, a delicate balance being used for this purpose. He had constructed a table showing the results of his own analysis of 12 samples of milk obtained in the town and neighbourhood, the average of these agreeing in a most remarkable manner with the average obtained by various workers in operating upon may thousands of samples throughout the country. Slides were exhibited under the microscope, showing fresh milk and the way in which measurements of the fat globules were taken, and also sour milk containing bacterium lactis. A discussion followed, in which Messrs. Kirk, Furnival, J.G. Walker, and the chairman took part. A vote of thanks to the lecturer terminated the proceedings.
[End of report on the ordinary meeting is signed]
Mitchell Wilson, Chairman.
1886
Ordinary Meeting Dec 15
Dr. J. Mitchell Wilson (President) in the chair.
Fifteen members & friends were present
Members elected – Mr. Chas. Parkin
Members proposed – Mr. W.H. Smith, Mr. F. Bonnett
After the chairman had drawn attention to a proof of the Transactions of the Society for the past session & had made a few remarks thereon
[A paper cutting is pasted into the minute book]
Mr. Furnivall read a paper on “The Eye, and how we see.” After describing the structure of the human eye by the aid of diagrams and sketches on the black board, the lecturer referred to the means by which ranges rays of light o
Pass through the cornea, aqueous humour, and the crystalline lens, and how these ranges rays are refracted and brought to a focus on the retina by the wonderful self-adjusting power of the lens. The causes of long and short sight were explained – the former being due to a flattening of the lens and the gradual loss of power of accommodation incidental to old age, the latter being caused by abnormal convexity of the lens or the cornea. He also gave illustrations of “persistence of vision,” the appreciable duration of the vibrations set up in the retina by a ray of light, and in addition showed how bright colours will fatigue the retina even to blindness. A very interesting discussion followed, in which the chairman and Messrs. Armitage, Easterfield, and Stiles took part.
[End of report on the ordinary meeting is signed]
Mitchell Wilson, Chairman.
1887
Ordinary Meeting (Fifth) Jan 5, 1887
Twenty one Members & friends were present
Members elected Mr. F. Bonnett, Mr. W.H. Smith
paper was read by W.T.H. Easterfield (Clare College, Cambridge) on Coal Gas, of which the following is a summary.
[A paper cutting is pasted into the minute book]
A meeting of the above Society was held in Brown’s Assembly Rooms, High Street, on Wednesday last. Messrs. F. Bonnett and W.H. Smith were elected members. The minutes of the preceding meeting having been read and confirmed the chairman (Dr. J. Mitchell Wilson) called upon Mr. Easterfield, of Clare College, Cambridge, to read a paper upon “Coal Gas.” Mr. Easterfield began by referring briefly to the early history of coal-gas as an illuminating agent and then went on to describe in detail the manufacture and purification of gas as used for lighting purposes, explaining as simply as possible the chemical changes which take place in the conversion of solid black coal into an invisible gas burning with a brilliant flame. Subsequently he drew attention to the properties peculiar to to coal gas and showed experimentally how violent a mixture of gas and oxygen explode if brought into the neighbourhood of a flame. All the important points in the paper were illustrated by a series of striking experiments. A number of experiments and diagrams relating to the manufacture of gas were also exhibited. At the conclusion of the paper an interesting discussion ensued in which Messrs. Bridge, Furnival, Smith and Stiles, besides the chairman and reader of the paper, took part.
1887
Jan 26 Sixth Ordinary meeting
Dr. J. Mitchell Wilson (President) in the chair.
Thirty members and friends present
Associate proposed. Mr. Sidney Wilson
A Lecture on “Light with special reference to the Spectroscope & Polariscope” was given by the Rev. A.C.E. Blowfield.
The Lecturer in the first place drew attention to the many analogies between Light & Sound and described at considerable length the leading features of the Wave theory of Light, illustrating his meaning by familiar examples and diagrams.
Light travels at the rate of about 185,000 miles in a second and at this speed would occupy nearly 8 minutes in travelling the distance between the Earth & the Sun. Many of the properties of Light were described & especial attention was drawn to its Spectroscopic study. The popular form of the Spectroscope was shown & the advantages resulting from the use of a narrow slit in place of a circular aperture referred to. Mr. Blowfield then exhibited a diagram of the Solar System & fully explained the reason why dark bands occur in it in place of bright light.
Polarized Light & some of its properties were then attended to & the construction of the Nicol’s Prism explained & illustrated.
Additional interest was given to the subject by the exhibition of well executed diagrams which were thrown upon the Screen by means of an Oxy-Hydrogen Lantern lent for the occasion by Mr. Stiles & managed by him. The valuable assistance thus rendered the lecturer acknowledged in kindly terms.
At the close Dr. Sykes proposed a vote of thanks to Mr. Blowfield for his clever & most interesting Lecture.
1887 Feb 16
Seventh Ordinary Meeting
Fr. J. Mitchell Wilson (President) in the chair.
Twenty six members & friends were present.
Associate elected Mr. Sidney Wilson
[A large paper cutting is pasted into the minute book]
The Chairman announced that the annual meeting of the Yorkshire Naturalists’ Union will be held this year at Dewsbury, on Monday, March 4, and that the proceedings will include a microscopical conversazione which it is hoped many of the Doncaster members will be able to attend. Those proposing to do so requested to give in their names to Mr. Kirk, or to the Hon. Secretary. Return tickets will be issued at reduced fares.
Mr. Walter Roberts then read a paper on “Bees and their work.” Of which the following is an abstract: – There is no insect better known or more deservedly popular than the bee, and when we consider its marvellous instinct, its active industry and the useful products resulting from its labours we cannot wonder that from the remotest times it has excited general attention and interest. Their policy and government have also ever been the theme of admiration, and have supplied the materials for argument and illusion, to poets and moralists in every age. A hive of bees consists of from 12 to 18,000 individuals. These are divided into three different kinds, consisting to all appearance as many modifications of sex. There are the queens, workers, and drones. The drones, which are the males of the species, comprise three or four hundred of the community; they are characterised by a thicker body that the worker, a round head, and a more flattened shape. Unlike the other two classes they posses no sting. The worker, or females incapable of reproduction, are distinguishable by the smallness of their size, their lengthened proboscis, and the peculiar structure of their legs and thighs, which are adapted for the collection of certain materials that are obtained from flowers. It is their duty to perform all the laborious offices for the community, to construct the interior of their habitation. To explore the country in search of nourishment and other materials, and to collect and bring to the hive and apply them to their different purposes; to attend upon the queen and supply all her wants, to defend the hive against depredation, and carry on hostilities against their various enemies. The queen bee, who is at once monarch and mother of the community, is larger than any of the others, and is provided with a sting. Her life is chiefly occupied with laying eggs. The drones, or males, producing neither wax or honey and depending upon the rest for their subsistence, are adle spectators of the others’ industry. It is now proved that a queen is developed from the same egg and larva as a worker, the change being produced by the difference in size of the cells and the nature and quantity of food given to the young larva. If the bees are deprived of their queen, and supplied with comb containing young workers only, they will select one or two to be educated as queens, which, by having a royal cell erected for their habitation and being fed with royal jelly, will come forth as complete queens with their form, instincts, and habits entirely different. The first moments of the life of the queen are spent in extreme uneasiness and vexation, and often mortal warfare, for she is most jealous of her position and will bear no rival near her throne. There are usually from 16 to 20 royal cells in the same hive, and for these the first hatched queen has the greatest antipathy, and unless prevented she will attack and destroy them all. To prevent this the bees remove portions of wax from the surface of the royal cells, so that the movements of the enclosed pupae are plainly visible. As soon as they perceive that the young queen has cut through her cocoon and is ready to emerge, they immediately stop up the cleft with wax and keep her prisoner against her will. When hungry she thrusts her tongue through a slit she has made in the cocoon, upon which she is supplied with honey and the orifice is again closed with wax. Were the queen destined to lead a swarm permitted to leave her cell when the natural time arrived, a troublesome task would be imposed upon the workers in guarding the larvae and pupae of succeeding queens from her attacks; so they find it easier to detain her in the cocoon until she is ready to head the swarm, when she is liberated. When the hive is sufficiently thinned and no further queen is needed to lead the swarms no further obstacle is thrown in the way of her vengeance and she is allowed to destroy the whole of the remaining occupants of the royal cells. Bees have the highest veneration for the queen and pay her the greatest attention; whenever she moves, she has a court of attendant bees who offer honey, lick her with their tongues, and are constantly on the watch to make themselves useful. The swarming or migration of bees, by which new colonies similar to those which had originally peopled the hives are founded, takes place in the spring and early summer. The increasing population producing inconvenience for want of room, and the great heat, with greater vitiation of the air from the same cause, together with the agitation of the queen occasioned by the presence in the hive of royal cells which communicates great excitement to the workers, are the probable causes of this operation of swarming. The first business of the bee is the construction of cells or comb. This structure is composed of wax and is used as the receptacle for the eggs and larvae, as magazines for honey, and as storehouses for bee bread. Wax is a secretion formed from the food taken into the stomach, afterwards exuding through the segments of the abdomen into “wax pockets,” or membranous bags, situated at the base of each intermediate segment of the abdomen. The wax transpires into these pockets in the form of thin laminae or plates. When about to form comb the wax makers first suspend themselves to each other in a cluster having the form of a curtain; they remain in this position immovable for 24 hours, during which the formation of wax is taking place, The plates of wax are taken from the wax pockets by one of the hinder feet and passed on to the mouth, when by the action of the mandibles it is fashioned into a riband and at the same time impregnated with a frothy liquor which gives it its whiteness and opacity. The particles of wax thus formed are applied successively to the roof of the hive, forming a block of wax. This is performed by the wax makers, or foundress bees, after which it is fashioned into cells by the sculptors. Honey, the principal product of the hive, is the pure fluid of the nectaries of flowers and which the length of the tongues enables them to reach in most blossoms. Darting the tongue rapidly between the petals of flowers it licks up all the nectar they contain, conveying it into the first stomach or honey bag, from which it is disgorged into the honey pots or cells. When the bee has supplied herself with all the honey she is capable of carrying she next, by means of a pencil of hairs on the legs, collects the fertilising dust or pollen of flowers. This is as necessary to the bees as honey, as from it the bee bread is made. This she kneads into tiny pellets, and packs into a little space situated in the middle joint of the hinder leg, called the basket. A material called propolis, which is a gummy resinous substance obtained from the buds of trees is also collected by bees; this is used in the hive as a solder, or cement, for strengthening the angles of the comb and stopping up every chink by which cold or wet could enter. Much of the time of the worker bees is taken up in nursing the young larvae, which are diligently fed and cared for. Many are occupied in the curious work of ventilating the hives. The heat is ar all times very great and the air thus becomes unfit for respiration. A number of bees are consequently told to act as ventilators, which is accomplished by ranging themselves in files on the floor of the hive and joining their wings by the marginal hooks with which they are furnished, thus forming a pair of ample fans which they vibrate with great rapidity, abstracting the external air and at the same time expelling that which has become vitiated.
A capital discussion followed, in which the Chairman, Messrs. Kirk, Stiles, Furnival, and others, in addition to the Lecturer, took part.
1887 Mar 30
Ninth Ordinary Meeting.
Dr. J M. Wilson (President) in the chair.
Twenty one members & friends were present.
Mr. J.M. Kirk read the fifth paper of his series on the Lower Forms of Animal Life – Medusoe & Cuttle Fish, of which the following is an extract.
[no paper is included]
April 20 1887
Committee Meeting (Guildhall)
Present Dr. J.M. Wilson (Chairman), The Rev. Geo. Smith, Mr. W. Roberts, & Mr. Stiles Hon. Sec.
After some discussion it was proposed by the Rev. Geo. Smith, seconded by Mr. Roberts & resolved – that application be again made for a course of Gilchrist Lectures for the session 1887-8.
Resolved also that 2 additional copies of the 1886-7 Report & Transactions be given to each author of a paper printed therein. Any other copies to be supplied at a charge of 6d. each – The Secretary reserving 12 copies for the society.
Signed Mitchell Wilson.
October 7th 1887
Committee Meeting in Mr. Kirl’s house.
Present – Dr. J. Mitchell Wilson (President), The Rev. Geo Smith, Messrs. Hasselby, Kirk, Roberts, J.G. Walker & Stiles.
The minutes of the previous meeting was read & confirmed.
The Hon. Sec. reported that he had received a reply from the secretary of the Gilchrist Education Trust, stating that the Trustees were unable to grant a course of Lectures for Doncaster during the season 1887-88. A discussion arising out of this, it was proposed by the Rev. Geo. Smith, seconded by Mr. Walker & resolved: – that the secretary be requested to write to the Trustees (Gilchrist) asking of they could give the secretary a course of Lectures after Christmas, or, if they are unable to do this they could give us some isolated Lectures during the season 1887-88.
Dr. Wilson having mentioned that Mr. Buckmaster might possibly be obtained to Lecture on some subject connected with science – it was proposed by Mr. Kirk, seconded by Mr. Roberts & resolved that the secretary write to Mr. Buckmaster respecting the Lecture referred to.
The general Meeting was fixed for Wednesday next, Oct. 12 at half past seven to be preceded by a committee meeting at seven in order to receive the draft report & statement.
Resolved that the following recommendations be made to the General Meeting.
President – Rev. Geo. Smith
Vice Presidents – Cannon Brock, Mr. J.M. Kirk, Rev. W.R. Weston, Dr. J. Mitchell Wilson.
Committee – Rev. Canon A. H. Faber, Mr. J.G. Walker, Mr. T.J. Hasselby, Mr. C.H. Loxley, and two others chosen from T.H. Easterfield, W.E. Atkinson, Geo. Winter, J. Furnival, W.H. Stott.
Hon Sec – M.H. Stiles
Signed Mitchell Wilson
Oct 12 1887
Committee Meeting
Present Dr. J. Mitchell Wilson, Chairman, Messrs. Kirk, Roberts, Walker, Stiles, Hon. Sec. & the Rev. Geo. Smith.
The minutes of the previous meeting were read & confirmed.
The draft Report was read & adopted & the accounts audited by Mr. J.G. Walker were also adopted.
Signed George Smith
Wednesday Oct 12 1887
Annual General Meeting was held in the Council Room, Guildhall.
Dr. J. Mitchell Wilson, President, in the chair.
Seven members were present.
Resolved that the Report of the Committee as read by the Hon. Sec. & the statement of accounts as presented by him & audited by Mr. J.G. Walker be received & adopted. (1)
The following Elections were then made to fill the respective offices.
President – The Rev. Geo. Smith, M.A.
Vice Presidents – The Rev. Cannon Brock, M.A., Mr. J.M. Kirk, Rev. W.R. Weston, Dr. J. Mitchell Wilson, M.D.
Committee – The Rev. Canon Faber, M.A., Mr. J.G. Walker, Mr. T.J. Hasselby, Mr. C.H. Loxley, Mr. T.H. Easterfield, Mr. W.E. Atkinson.
Hon Secretary & Treasure – Mr. M.H. Stiles
It was proposed by Dr. Wilson & seconded by Mr. Stiles that the draft memorial respecting a Lecture Room in the new Free Library Buildings proposed by Mr. J.G. Walker be referred to a small Committee consisting of the President, the Hon. Sec. & Mr. Walker.
Mr. Stiles was requested to invite the co-operation of the committee of the University Extension Society with the view of bringing this matter before the Mayor.
Signed G. Smith
Nov 14, 1887
Committee Meeting in Mr. Kirk’s house.
Present – The Rev. Geo. Smith, (President) in the chair, & Messrs. Kirk, Walker, & Stiles & Atkinson.
The minutes of the previous meeting were read & adopted.
The Secretary reported the result of correspondence with Mr. Buckmaster with reference to the delivery of a Lecture by him in connection with this Society & after some discussion he was requested to write again to Mr. Buckmaster asking for a choice of subjects & further information.
It was proposed that Mr. J Bell be asked to give a paper before the Society on Dec. 21st
The Secretary announced that Mr. C.H. Loxley had retired from the committee. It was therefore resolved that Mr. W. Roberts be elected to fill the vacancy.
Signed G. Smith
Nov 30 1887
The First Ordinary Meeting of the Session was held in the Council Room, Guildhall.
The Rev. Geo. Smith, M.A. President, in the chair.
Nineteen members & friends were present.
The minutes of the previous meeting having been read & confirmed.
[A newspaper cutting is pasted into the minute book]
The Rev. Cannon Faber read a paper on “A piece of chalk.” The subject was treated in the masterly manner so characteristic of the author, and furnished an excellent epitome of the origin, geological formation, and chemical composition of chalk. Researches and discoveries of recent years, especially those resulting from the soundings made in connection with what may be termed the survey of the bed of the ocean previous to laying the first Atlantic cable, and also during the Challenger expedition, have thrown a great flood of light upon the origin of chalk. The ooze or mud brought up from the bottom of the Atlantic by sounding lines was found to consist in great measure of the shells of tiny organisms called Foraminiferoe. Those which were perfect were chiefly of a more or less rounded shape. And it was found that these or their broken remains constituted about 80 per cent, of the dried mud. The chemical composition of this mud is identical with that of chalk, that is it consists of carbonate of lime. A microscopical examination of chalk proper revealed a similar structure, although it was, of course, more difficult to find shells of the low-typed animals which by their united efforts during countless years built it up with their imperishable skeletons. Still the shells present in chalk, and anyone with a decent microscope could easily detect them by scaping a piece of natural chalk into water, washing away the finer particles, and examining the sand like deposit which is left. A comparison of the two types served to prove that the old chalk cliffs, which gave the name of Albion to our island home, were formed at the bottom of the sea, and have been raised by gradual upheaval to their present position, and that this formation was brought about by tiny animals of the same family as those which were now engaged in similar work on the bed of the Atlantic. The source of the carbonate of lime was the ocean, which holds a considerable amount in solution. The animals, in building their shells, abstracted the carbonate of lime from the water around them. This chalk formation, although widely distributed throughout the world, attained probably its greatest and most perfect development in the south and south-west of England, and occurred there in beds of immense thickness. The chalk cliffs of the southern coast were well known. The fossils of the chalk, other than Foraminiferoe were too numerous to notice in a short abstract – An interesting discussion was opened by the chairman, and carried on bt Dr. Mitchell Wilson, Mr. Stiles and the lecturer, after which a cordial vote of thanks to the latter by the Rev. W.R. Weston and seconded by Mr. G. Broadrick – At the close of the meeting slides of recent and fossil Foraminiferoe, including globigerinae, rotaliae, etc., etc., were shown under the microscope.
Signed George Smith
[……in 1857 when explorations on the Atlantic basin, made for the purpose of establishing a Transatlantic telegraph cable, yielded modern deposits of a character greatly resembling those discovered in the Chalk, Huxley’s brilliant exposition of these modern deposits – the charming lecture “On a Piece of Chalk” – has familiarised all the world with the part played in rock-production today by the microscopic protozoa, especially by that minute creature, shaped as Huxley said, like an illgrown raspberry, which is known as Globigerina.] from The Geology of Yorkshire, Kendall & Wroot 1924, p. 367.
[The “Challenger” expedition during the famous four years’ voyage, which it commenced in 1873, made for the first time a detailed study of the floor of the oceans of the world…..;..] from The Geology of Yorkshire, Kendall & Wroot 1924, p. 370.
Dec 21 1887
The Second Ordinary Meeting of the session was held in the Robing Room, Guildhall.
The Rev. Geo. Smith (President) in the chair
Twenty three members & friends were present
Prior to the commencement of the ordinary business a preliminary meeting with Mr. Kirk as chairman, was held to consider the question of the formation of a students’ association in connection with this Society. The idea was the outcome of some remarks made by ‘Mr.’ Moulton at the end of the last Lecture of the ‘University Extension Society. After some discussion it was resolved to refer the question to a meeting of the joint committees of this Society & of the University Extension Society.
The President then took the chair & the minutes of the previous meeting having been read & confirmed.
Mr. M.H. Stiles delivered a Lecture on “Photography by Artificial Light.”
The subject was divided into four sections – Photo-microscopy, the preparation of Lantern Slides from dry plate, Contact Printing on Bromide Papers & Enlarging.
In connection with Photo-microscopy the necessary appliances were exhibited & the mode of working explained, after which a positive was printed & developed before the meeting. Owing to the want of time & the necessary convenience the process could not be carried out to its full extent; so to compensate for this a finished Lantern slide from the same negative was exhibited. To ensure permanency a Photograph, whether on Glass or Paper, requires fixing after development. This is accomplished by soaking the plate or paper in a solution of Hyposulphite of Soda which removes the Silver which has not been acted on by light.
Contract Printing was shown to be very simple & expeditions. A piece of paper coated with Gelatine & Bromide 0f Silver (resembling in this respect a Photographic Dry Plate) is placed in a Printing Frame behind a negative & then exposed for a few seconds to the light from a Gas or Lamp Flame. It is then developed & fixed exactly like a plate & the resulting picture has the appearance of an etching or soft engraving. This process was also shown in operation.
The last & most interesting feature of the evening was the production of enlargements from small negatives. The apparatus consisted of a long box forming a lantern & a board on which to supports the prepared paper. The box contained a Paraffin Lamp, a Condensing Lens, a frame to carry the negative & a Lens in a sliding Tube to form an enlarged image on the paper. A 5 x 4 negative of a Railway Bridge over the Don was chosen as a subject & after an exposure of 7 minutes & subsequent development an enlarged picture was produced possessing all the details of the original & a much bolder & more beautiful effect.
A discussion, eliciting information on various points connected with the process, terminated the Lecture.
Signed G. Smith
January 11, 1888
The Third Ordinary Meeting of the session was held in the Robing Room, Guildhall.
The rev. Geo. Smith (President) in the chair.
Twenty six members & friends were present.
[A newspaper cutting is pasted into the minute book]
The minutes of the preceding meeting having been read and confirmed, the President (Rev. G. Smith) called upon Mr. T.H. Easterfield to give a lecture upon the subject of “Combustion, spontaneous and otherwise.” The lecturer commenced by considering in detail the combustion of an ordinary candle, and showed an experiment to prove that no loss of weight takes place when a candle burns. He then showed that a gradual process of combustion was always going on in the bodies of all animals. Speaking of the terms combustible and supporter of combustion, he said that these were purely relative, and illustrated his remarks by showing that air would burn in an atmosphere of coal gas as readily as coal gas in an atmosphere of air. Subsequently he showed that light as well as heat could cause combustion to commence. Spontaneous combustion, i.e., combustion which took place of its own free will, was, he said, an impossibility, and he explained upon chemical and physical principles what takes place in the phenomena usually said to be spontaneous.
At the conclusion of the lecture a short discussion took place. The proceedings terminated with a vote of thanks to the lecturer.
Jan 18, 1888
A meeting of the Committee was held in Mr. Kirk’s House.
Present – The Rev. Geo. Smith (President), Dr. J.M. Wilson, Messrs. Walker, Kirk, Roberts, & Stiles.
The minutes of the previous meeting were read & confirmed.
The subject of amalgamation with the University Extension Society was then brough forward & after discussion it was resolved on the motion of Dr. J.M. Wilson, seconded by Mr. Roberts that a sub-committee consisting of Messrs. Kirk, Roberts, Walker & Stiles be appointed to meet a sub-committee of the U. E. Society to consider the question.
It was also resolved that special inducements to join the Society be offered to those interested in Photography.
Feb 1, 1888
The fourth Ordinary Meeting of the session was held in the Robing Room, Guildhall.
The Rev. Geo. Smith (President) in the chair.
Fifteen members & friends were present.
Mr. J.M. Kirk read a paper on “The Microscope, its history & use.”
The early history of the microscope & its development up to the present time were described at considerable length, illustrations being furnished by a large collection of Instruments of different dates including examples resembling those used by Leeuwenhoek & Lieberkuhn.
All Microscopes, whether simple or compound, magnify be means of lenses which alter the course of the rays of light passing through them. This principle, which is termed refraction, was rendered intelligible by means of drawings of the various forms of lenses & explanations of their properties. Spherical & chromatic aberration are the principle difficulties to be surmounted in the construction of the objectives used in compound microscopes & these are rendered especially difficult from the small, almost minute size of the glasses worked.
They are “corrected” by using a combination of lenses differing in density & curvature & so arranged that their opposite aberrations shall neutralize each other.
It is only within comparatively recent times that the construction of achromatic object glasses for microscopes has been found practicable – the first attempt in that direction being made in 1823. Amici in 1827 produced a fair achromatic combination but his glasses were soon rivalled by those of Andrew Ross & Powell.
High Power objectives have to be worked very near the object, which is often very inconvenient, this has led to the construction of what are called immersion lenses, the principle of which was carefully explained.
A discussion followed in which several questions were asked of the lecturer about various points raised in the paper.
A vote of thanks to Mr. Kirk brought the meeting to a close.
March 6, 1888
The Fifth Ordinary Meeting of the session was held in the Robing Room, Guildhall.
The Rev. Geo. Smith (President) in the chair.
Eighteen members & friends were present.
Mr. Geo. Bisat & Mr. J.R. Thompson when nomination had been duly announced by circular, were unanimously elected members of the society.
Mr. Stiles drew attention to the annual meeting of the Yorkshire Naturalists’ Union which was arranged to be held at Malton on March 7th & invited the attendance of members of this society.
Mr. T.J. Hasselby then read an interesting paper on “Coal & its Products” in which he gave a short history of the substance, its geological position & supposed origin & then passed on to sketch its best known products – Gas, Tar & the others important residuals. The chief interest lay in the Bye-products which the lecturer said numbered more than 160 not including the recently discovered Saccharin & others articles used in medicine.
An interesting discussion took place in which the chairman, Mayor Shorrock, Mr. Stiles & others took part after which a vote of thanks to the lecturer & chairman was unanimously accorded.
March 12, 1888
A meeting of the joint Sub-committees of the University Extension Society & of this society was held in Brown’s Room
Present – Rev. Geo. Smith (Chairman), Dr. J.M. Wilson, Messrs. Kirk, Atkinson, Walker & Stiles.
It was proposed by Mr. Kirk seconded by Mr. Stiles & carried “Mem Con” that for this year it is not desirable that the University Extension & the Microscopical Societies be amalgamated.
Signed G. Smith
Mar 21, 1888.
The Sixth Ordinary Meeting of the session was held in the Robing Room, Guildhall.
The Rev. Geo. Smith (President) in the chair.
Thirty three members & friends were present.
The minutes of the previous meeting were taken as read.
The Rev. A.C.E. Blowfield then gave a lecture on “Astronomy” illustrated by a series of very beautiful slides exhibited my means of the Oxy-Hydrogen Lantern.
The attention of the audience was specially drawn to the Milky Way, the constitution of the Solar System, the discovery of Neptune, Saturn & its Rings, The Theory of the Lidis, Comets & their Orbits, The Solar Spots & Corona, Lunar Eclipses, etc. etc. These were all illustrated by Pictures projected on the screen, motion being imparted to some of them by mechanical arrangements of a very effective character, which much helped to make the subject more intelligible.
Amongst other illustrations a Photograph of the moon in her first quarter & an ideal Lunar Landscape were much admired.
At the conclusion of a long & exhaustive lecture a cordial vote of thanks to Mr. Blowfield was proposed by the chairman & carried unanimously.
Signed J.M. Kirk.
April 25, 1888
The seventh meeting of the session was devoted to the Photographic Section of the Society.
Mr. J.M. Kirk presided
Eleven members were present.
[A newspaper cutting was pasted into the minute book]
Mr. W. Delanoy read a paper on “Development,” in which he described the different developers in ordinary use and explained their mode of action. Several negatives were developed before those present, and during the process attention was called to the peculiarities of each.
Mr. M.H. Stiles also gave illustrations of a method of producing satisfactory prints from non-exposed 1 negatives. This consisted in the employment of a print 2 as a mask – the dark portions of the print retarding the action of light and so preventing the shadows from becoming as deep as they would otherwise have been.
The example was shown of a print obtained with the mask and without it, the latter showing a very great improvement on the former.
The papers were listened to with very great attention, and a hope was expressed that arrangements would be made for furth meetings. Votes of thanks concluded the proceedings.
Signed G. Smith
[Notes – corrections were made in the minute book adjacent to the paper cutting as follows]
1. ‘non-exposed’ was to be preplaced with ‘under-exposed’, and
2. The following additional text was to be inserted after ‘print’ and before ‘as a mask’, which reads ‘from the same negative’
Report for the Session 1886-7
Your committee has much pleasure in presenting to the members the Eighth Annual Report of The Doncaster Microscopical & General Scientific Society.
During the past year four new members and one associate have been elected; the loss of old members through removal & other causes has more than counterbalanced this & the numerical strength of the Society has therefore somewhat suffered.
Throughout the Session eight meetings, not including the general meeting, have been held. At the first – an Exhibition meeting – various objects of interest were shown and short descriptive notices of these were given by the Exhibitor. [At] The other [meetings] papers [read] were as follows: –
“Milk, its Chemical & microscopical Examination” by M.H. Stiles.
“The Eye & how we use it” by J. Furnival
“Coal Gas” by T.H. Easterfield.
“Light” by The Rev. A.C.E. Blowfield.
“Bees and their work” by W. Roberts.
“Vivisection” by J. Mitchell Wilson, M.D.
“Medusae & Cuttle Fishes” being the fifth paper in ‘The Lower Forms of Animal Life’ by J.M. Kirk.
The Average attendance at these meeting was rather smaller than at the previous year, being 23 as compared with 25.
The Financial position of the Society shows a further improvement notwithstanding the falling off of members. The Balance in the Treasurers hands at the beginning of the Session 1885-6 was £7 – 6 – 6, now it is £9 – 3 – 10
One of the most noteworthy features of the year has been the publication, for the first time, of the Society’s Report & Transactions. This This got up very neatly in Pamphlet form & containing a Photo-micrograph of Arachinoidiscus Indicus as a Frontispiece, was issued to each of the members early in the current year & it is proposed to follow the same course with regards to the transaction of the past Session.
The Statement of Accounts is appended.
| Item | £. s. d. |
|---|---|
| 40 Members Subscriptions 1 | 10 0 0 |
| 3 Members subscription areas | 15 0 |
| 1 associate member subscription | 2 6 |
| Interest from Bank | 1 4 |
| Sale of Report | 6 |
| Balance from last session | 7 6 61/2 |
| £18 5 101/2 |
Note 1. This includes Subscriptions up to Nov 7 / 87
| Item | £. s. d. |
|---|---|
| Printing notices & Programmes | 2 7 6 |
| Printing Report & Transactions | 3 11 0 |
| Correspondence etc. | 16 01/2 |
| Hire of Rooms for meetings | 2 7 6 |
| Balance in hand | 9 3 10 |
| £18 5 101/2 |
May 16 1888
The Eighth meeting of the Session was held in the Robing Room, Guildhall.
The Rev. Geo. Smith, M>A> (President) in the chair.
Six members present.
[Here, a newspaper cutting, forming two columns because of its length, has been pasted in the minute book]
The Chairman gave, as a valedictory address, a paper on “The Doncaster Microscopical and General Society, its Work – past, present and future,” of which the following isa abstract.
The origin of the society is thus recorded in the minute book: “The Doncaster Microscopical Society, 13 High Street, Doncaster. With a view to forming a Microscopical Society in Doncaster a preliminary meeting was held in this house on Monday, February 9, 1880, J.M. Kirk, Fred Milner, and M.H. Stiles being present, at which it was resolved that the formation of such a society was desirable and that steps should be taken to establish it.” The first President was Cannon Brock, and the secretary and treasurer Mr. Stiles. Thus successfully launched the society made modest yet satisfactory progress as these figure testify : –
| Year | No. of Members | Average Attendance |
|---|---|---|
| 1880 (half session) | 38 | 17 |
| 1880-1 | 43 | 11 |
| 1881 -2 | 59 | 25 |
| 1882-3 | 80 | 34 |
| 1883-4 | 65 | 28 |
| 1884-5 | 51 | 23 |
| 1885-6 | 52 | 25 |
| 1886-7 | 40 | 23 |
In 1881 the name was changed into that of the Doncaster Microscopical and General Society and ladies were admitted as members. Conversaziones have been held at various times and public lectures have been given, notably in connection with the Gilchrist Trust, and by invitation of the Society and Yorkshire Naturalists Union held its annual meeting in Doncaster, in 1885. This record gives certainly no ground for depression, yet we must not content ourselves with the glories of the past, but must direct our attention to the future. The following suggestions are made: – (1) Within the society sections should be formed, in time covering the whole scientific field, and means by which the vast majority of all classes who feel any interest in scientific work might be drawn to the society. The Subscriptions should be (a) a general subscription, say 5s. as at present, admitting to the general meetings of the society and to all sectional meetings: (b) a sectional subscription of say 2s. 6d., admitting to the general meetings of the society and to one sectional meeting. By these means the society might eventually reckon its members by hundreds. (2) It should be part of the regular routine proceedings of the society to have a public lecture every session by a man of high scientific reputation. In this way the society would confer a further direct benefit upon the town. (3) steps should be taken to establish a Museum. It seems strange that a town boasting its immemorial antiquity thinks so little of the links connecting it with the past. Ancient coins, Roman pottery and works of art are dug up, receive some notice in the newspapers, and are dispersed to the four winds. A museum scientifically arranged would be the educational haunt of the members of the various sections. Its fostering care they would repay by contributing the results of those researches which its suggestions and teaching had stimulated. (4) The society should form a scientific library, whose shelves would be filled by volumes given by the friends of the society of bought out of a definite portion of the surplus of each year. Also it might be advisable to have a class of honorary subscribers of say one guinea a year. Their subscriptions would support the society in its public work. help to defray the cost of the public lectures, and assist in establishing the museum and library. After referring to the circumstances which impelled him to bring forward these suggestions the reader spoke of the educational usefulness of the society. Although science is not able to do much to educate in the strict sense of the word, and cannot in this respect be compared with the rigid training afforded by the study of languages and of mathematics, yet no education is complete it. He then proceeded to describe it as a study which leads us to use our God-inspired faculties to pierce the veil behind which God is concealed, nay even to find traces of Him on the veil itself.
A discussion followed in which Dr. J.M. Wilson, Mr. J.G. Walker, Mr. Stiles & the Chairman took part. A vote of thanks to the President terminated the proceedings
Signed G. Smith, President.
Session 1888-9
Committee Meeting Oct 24, 1888
Present – Rev. Geo. Smith, Dr. J.M. Wilson, & Messrs. Kirk, Atkinson, & Stiles (hon. Sec.) & Roberts.
On the motion of W. Atkinson, seconded by Mr. Kirk, it was resolved that the secretary be asked to draw up a report for approval by the committee & to be submitted to them a short time before the General Meeting.
Proposed by Dr. J.M. Wilson Y seconded by Mr. Roberts, that on account of the University Extension Lectures being given every Wednesday evening up to Xmas, This Committee recommend to the General Meetiong that this Society begin it Session after that time. A list of proposed officers was then drawn up to be submitted to the approval of the General Meeting.
Signed J.M. Kirk
Report for the Session 1887-8
Your Committee has much pleasure in presenting to the members the Ninth Annual Report of the Doncaster Microscopical & General Scientific Society.
I view of the ever increasing popularity of Photography, it Was decided early in the past session that inducements to join the Society should be offered to those interested in the subject by arranging for occasional meetings at which matters pertaining to this most interesting pursuit could be increased.
As yet this has only been partially carried out but it is hoped that greater prominence will in future be given to it.
During the Session eight Ordinary Meetings have been held, the papers or Lectures given being as follows_ –
“A Piece of Chalk” by the Rev. Cannon Faber
“Photography by Artificial Light” by Mr. M.H. Stiles
“Combustion, Spontaneous & Otherwise” by Mr. T.H. Easterfield
“The Microscope, its History & Use” by Mr. J.M. Kirk
“Coal & its Products” by Mr. T.J. Haselby
“Astronomy” Illustrated by the Oxy-Hydrogen Lantern, by the Rev. A.C.E. Blowfield, M.A.
“Notes on Development & on Printing” by Mr. W. Delany & Mr. M.H. Stiles
Valedictory Address – “Doncaster Microscopical & General Scientific Society – its Work, past, present & future” by the Rev. Geo. Smith, M.A. (President)
The average attendance at the meetings was 19 which compared unfavorably with the previous year which was 23. This is greatly to be regretted & cannot but be discouraging to those who devote much time & trouble to the preparation of Papers. Your Committee feel that this is due to a great measure to the fact of the Society not being able to obtain a really suitable room to meet in.
The Financial position shows continued improvement and is now more satisfactory than it has ever been. The balance in hand at the beginning of the last session was £9. 3. 10., it is now £11. 5. 1.
In arranging for the meeting of the present Session, your Committee, being mindful of the fact that the University Extension Lectures are given every Wednesday evening up to Christmas & that these are other course of Lectures besides, have thought it advisable not to begin our own programme until after Xmas & then to hold the meetings fortnightly for the first four months of the year, They trust that this proposal will meet with your approval.
A Statement of Accounts is Appended.
| Item | £. s. d. |
|---|---|
| 28 members subscriptions | 7. 0. o. |
| 1 Associate member subscription | 2. 6. |
| Interest from Bank | 4. 9. |
| Balance from last year | 9. 3. 10. |
| £16. 11. 1. |
| Item | £. s. d. |
|---|---|
| Hire of Meeting Rooms | 1. 12. 9. |
| Hire of Lantern | 10. 6. |
| Printing | 2. 10. 3. |
| Correspondence | 4. 2. |
| Yorkshire Naturalist Union levy for 2 years | 8. 4. |
| Balance in hand | 11. 5. 1. |
| £16. 11. 1. |
Session 1888-9
Jan 16, 1889
The First Ordinary Meeting of the Session was held in the Robing Room, Guildhall.
Mr. J.M. Kirk (President) Mr. Walter Roberts Vice President in the chair
Fourteen Members & friends were present.
The minutes of the previous meeting having been taken as read, the Chairman called upon Mr. Stiles (Hon. Sec.) to read a paper upon “Lantern Slides & how they are made”.
[a small paper cutting is pated into the minute book]
After a brief introduction in which he passed in review the various modes of making lantern slides, the lecturer showed by practical demonstration the method of making lantern slides by contact and by reduction in the camera, after which the plates exposed were developed by the aid of a hydroquinope developer. The plates used were Thomas’s new lantern plates, with which the lecturer had always had successful results. Processes for cleaning and toning the slides were then explained, and the lecture concluded with the exhibition of a number of slides (including some very fine photo-micrographs) by the aid of an Oxy-hydrogen lantern lent by the lecturer.
A vote of thanks to Mr. Stiles was proposed by Mr. W.E. Atkinson & seconded by Mr. Biset.
Signed J.M. Kirk.
[A very large paper cutting is pasted into the minute book in place of any hand written entry]
The Second Meeting of the Session was held in the Robing Room, Guildhall, on Wednesday evening, January 30th.
Mr. J.M. Kirk (President) in the chair.
Mr. Walter Roberts read a paper on “Insects injurious to Agriculture,” of which the following is an abstract: –
“Among the many difficulties that beset the agriculturist in the cultivation of his crops, one of the most serious is that arising from the attacks of insects. A very rudimentary knowledge of Entomology reveals the fact that an innumerable host of small, but most voracious and terribly destructive, enemies are constantly attacking every green thing, so that the wonder is how any vegetation escapes and comes to perfection at all. Any information, therefore, respecting their appearance, habits, and methods of attack, also how their ravages may be prevented or lessened must be of the utmost value to the farmer, and a subject of great interest to the public generally.
Beetles are among the more destructive of our farm pests, and of this order the click-beetle or ‘skip jack’ (so called from its power of regaining its feet with a spring or skip, accompanied with a sharp click) and whose larva is the terrible wireworm, may be taken as type. This small worm. In shape and colour like a piece of flattened wire, inflicts incalculable damage upon every kind of grain and root crop. When feeding, it glides about just beneath the surface of the soil, gnawing the roots and underground shoots, and, as its habit is to go from plant to plant, it injures and destroys far more than it needs for food. Unlike most insects, it lives on as a grub for several years, feeding all the time. To prevent their ravages, everting should be done to prevent the beetle laying its eggs, and to clear infected land before sowing. In the case of seeds (one main starting point of attack), the practice of penning sheep them is a most effectual, as the ground becomes so thoroughly trodden and manured that the beetle is prevented depositing her eggs, and if any are already there they are destroyed. Paring and burning the surface and burning the parings will also get rid of a great deal of wireworm. Dressing pastureland with lime brought fresh from the kiln is also very useful, and salt sown upon grass or seeds before breaking up is strongly recommended. The point of most importance is to clear the ground of all weeds and rubbish, as they are the natural homes and harbours of the worm. Land not well cleaned, and where the common and pernicious practice is followed of allowing grass headlands and broad strips of grass by hedge sides, there will be wireworms, as both food and lodging is provided till the crop is ready for them. Moles are their natural enemies, when burrowing they are brough into their feeding ground and destroy large numbers. Whether the benefit derived from their presence does not far outweigh the damage down is a question the farmer would do well to think over before engaging the service of the mole catcher.
The turnip flea beetle, commonly called ‘The fly’ is another variety doing most serious damage to our turnip crops. In this case, the beetle itself does the mischief – devouring the leaf and quickly destroying the young plant. It passes the winter under clods of earth, stones, and in growths od neglected grass. And by doing away with these, you clear them out of winter quarters. Again, when they come forth in the early spring there are no turnips, and they need food – this is, too often provided in abundance by the rich growths of weeds on many farms, Charlock, commonly known as ‘Ketlock’, is a favourite food. The best method of prevention is – no weeds. Starve them out by destroying their food plants – ‘Prevention is better than cure.’ It is the worst possible practice to wait for the attack and then work directly upon the insect. The object should always be to prevent it.
The Crane fly, or ‘Daddy Longlegs,’ in its larvae state is a most injurious insect. It is known as the ‘Leather Jacket,’ from the roughness of its skin, and, like the wireworm, it feeds upon the underground shoots of root and corn plants; it also comes up above the surface during the night and feeds upon the stems of growing crops. Rolling in the early morning will destroy many, for they are so numerous that 200 have been counted on a square yard of land. Flooding the land is sometimes resorted to in extreme cases, also the use of strong chemicals, as nitrate of soda and carbolic acid. But experiments have shown that they will bear immersion for several days and live, and that if chemicals are used of sufficient strength to destroy the insect, the injure the crop. Frost, too, will not kill them, as after being frozen by artificial means till brittle, when thawed they have been found alive. The same methods of prevention should be used as in the wire worm attack, and, in addition, every means employed by good drainage to avoid wet and marshy places, as these are the resorts of the Crane fly, when she lays her eggs and where attack commences.
Another fly of the gnat tribe, the tiny wheat Midge, does immense damage by depositing its eggs in the florets of the wheat, from which are produced the ‘red maggot,’ which devours the germ of the future grain, producing barrenness and sterility. When full grown, some of the maggots go down into the ground, and they may be destroyed by deep ploughing, which places such a thickness of earth upon them that they are killed, or the perfect fly cannot come up again. Many are housed with the grain, and are to be ground in multitudes in heaps of chaff, which should in no case be allowed to lie about, but should be destroyed.
The turnip Saw fly produces the grub known as ‘The Nigger,’ from its colour, and whose voracious appetite and countless numbers will frequently clear the turnip crop from the face of the earth. The farmer’s only hope in this case is in prevention by the means already recommended, as their numbers cannot be coped with when attack has commenced.
Much excitement has recently been caused by reported appearances of Hessian fly. This is no new insect, but first appeared in England in 1776, and its derived name from the idea that it was brought over by the Hessian troops in the straw from Germany. It then did enormous damage to wheat crops by perforating the main stem and depositing its eggs, causing it to droop and die.
The small insects called Aphids, or plant lice, do immense damage not only to choice plants and flowers, but to grain and root crops as well. The ‘honey dew’ is an excrescence exuded from two small tubes with which they are furnished, and which, by clogging the spores of plants, clogs and smothers them. They posses, also, a powerful beak or sucker, with which they pierce the ears of wheat, and by sucking out their juices do great injury to the crop, The great difficulty of dealing with them is their amazing power of reproduction, it being estimated that one female will be progenitrix of 5.900, 000, 000 aphids in one season. Where field crops are attacked the evil cannot be coped with, but in garden cultivation much may be done by washings of soap suds, tobacco water, and soft soap and quassia.
There is no doubt that immense benefit is derived from the unceasing war carried on by birds upon every kind of insect life. The rook, the pewit, and the starling destroy untold numbers of wireworms, caterpillars, and slugs. Whilst almost every kind of small bird – the sparrow, perhaps, excepted – prays upon aphids, grubs, and other small insects. There can be little doubt that the practice of destroying birds whenever possible is a suicidal policy, the balance of nature being thereby destroyed. An eminent authority says: – ‘If we increase the quantity of any special crop so as to attract any special insect, and at the same time allow the birds which feed upon them to be destroyed, we can hardly fail to suffer severely.’”
February 13th, 1889.
The third meeting of the session was held in the Robing Room, Guildhall.
Mr. J.M. Kirk (President) in the chair.
21 members and friends were present.
Mr. T.R. Nicholas & Mr. G. Howes were elected members of the Society.
After attending to the great loss the Society had sustained through the death of their former President, the late Cannon Brock (see below).
The Chairman then introduced. Mr. Thos. Bunker of Goole (President of the Vertebrate section of the Yorkshire Naturalists’ Union,) who read a paper on “The Migration of Birds,” of which the following is an abstract.
[A newspaper cutting is pasted into the minute book at this point]
“The lecturer, referring to the labours of the committee appointed by the British Association for the purpose of obtaining observations on the migration of birds, showed that migration was not confined to birds inasmuch as fishes, seals, whales, etc. migrate. Herrings, Salmon, seals and other animals migrate to places suitable for the perpetuation of the respective species – rapacious animals in pursuit of pray, and many from a strong hereditary feeling. Birds migrate to colder climates where food for their young is abundant and the days are long, so that they are continually being fed. The routes followed by them on their return from the north were traced on the map and a few general laws regulating them stated. Reasons were also given why large numbers of them landed at certain places while other spots were not visited. The chief routes frequented by our southern visitors were also shown and the reasons stated why some of those were chosen. The lecturer then referred to the manner in which great “rushes” of migrants are observed and showed how a watch was kept on the flocks till they gradually dispersed in Ireland. Statements were quoted showing how hundreds in foggy weather are killed by striking the lanterns of lightships and lighthouses. The effects of improved drainage of lowlands and moors and the increasing impurity of our streams upon our feathered visitors were named. Species were enumerated that are no longer found in our districts and others that are seldom seen. He condemned severely the conduct of so-called sportsmen who shoot gulled and other birds when they are unfit for food, and also the absurd fashion of decorating ladies’ dresses with plumage of beautiful birds.” The lecturer was listened to with great attention and an interesting discussion followed in which several of the audience joined. A hearty vote of thanks to Mr. Bunker was proposed by Mr. Kirk and seconded by Mr. Hasselby.
A resolution was unanimously passed requesting the Secretary to write a letter of Condolence to his widow & family.
Signed J.M. Kirk.
Feb 27, 1889
The Fourth Meeting of the Session was held in the Magistrates Room, Guildhall.
Mr. J.M. Kirk (President) in the chair.
Fifteen members & friends were present.
The Secretary reported that in accordance with a resolution passed at the previous meeting he had written to Mrs. Brock & had received a reply thanking the society for their expression of condolence & sympathy. The letters are herewith inserted.
“Feb 20, 1889
Dear Madam, I am desired by the Committee of the above Society to express their deep sympathy with your & your family on the occasion of the much lamented death of the late Cannon Brock who was for so many years intimately connected with this Society as their first President & to whose kindness & courtesy they were, on many occasions, so greatly indebted. I remain dear Madam
Your obedient servant
M.H. Stiles, Hon. Sec.”
Brodsworth Vicarage Feb 21, 1889
Dear Mr. Stiles,
Will you kindly convey to the Committee of The Doncaster Microscopical Society our very sincere thanks for their most kind expression of sympathy. My husband always took the warmest interest in the Society though for the last few years he had been unable to attend the meetings owing to our distance from Doncaster.
I must not forget to thank you too for writing to me.
Believe me to be
Yours Truly
Caroline E. Brock.
The Secretary also read a communication from a Committee of the British Association appointed to investigate the Seasonal variation of Temperature in Lakes, Rivers Etc. throughout the Kingdom. It was agreed to refer this letter to the Committee of this Society.
It was also resolved on the motion of Mr. Geo. Winter, seconded by Mr. Walker, that this Society approach the Corporation with the view of securing the old Free Library as a Museum & Lecture Room.
[At this point, a newspaper cutting is pasted into the Minute Book]
Mr. George Bisat read a paper on “Landscape Photography”, which the following is an abstract.
After commenting on the desirability of the tyro beginning work by attempting to take a landscape, Mr. Bisat outlined the principles which should guide the operator in selecting suitable subjects for such work, advising a preliminary ramble in order to note the best points of view and the time of day yielding the most pleasing lighting. The necessary apparatus was described, and the value of a note book in which to enter particulars of date, time of day, exposure, lens and stop used, variety of plate, quality of light, etc., etc., was emphasised; deductions from this data thus recorded serving as an excellent guide for future work. The use of the camera in the field was then touched upon, and the principles influencing the selection of stops and the employment of the rising front and swing back were explained. In treating of that all important question “Exposure” the lecturer referred to the great assistance he had derived from the use of “Wormald’s Practical Index of Photographic Exposure”. Especial attention was drawn to the importance of giving approximately correct exposures, for, though errors in this respect may to some extent be compensated for in development, still really first class work was invariably the outcome of care and attention in exposure. The application of “Wormald’s Tables” was explained and their value enlarged, especially to the inexperienced. Turning to the artistic side of the subject, Mr. Bisat dwelt upon the usually accepted principles which should govern the composition of a picture, and at some length urged on by members, the necessity of paying due regard to these if they wished to produce photographs which should also claim to be pictures. He then proceeded to treat of development, describing the developers in ordinary use, and laying especial stress upon the advantages to be gained by a slow or sensitive method of working. Personally, he preferred pyro in a 10 per cent solution preserved with meta-bisulphite of potash, with ammonia added from a dropping bottle as the accelerator. The value of cycling as an adjunct to photography was extolled, and the great advantages accruing from the use of a tricycle for the purpose of conveying the Photographer and his kit were forcibly pointed out, especially if the outfit be of a half-plate or larger size. The lecturer gave a detailed description of the plan he had adopted for carrying his apparatus on his tricycle on a short tour during last summer and spoke very brightly of the enjoyment and pleasure to be derived from a holiday taken in this way. He cordially recommended his hearers to follow his example. The paper was illustrated by photographs contributed by the lecturer and other members and was listened to throughout with much attention. A discussion followed after which a vote of thanks to Mr. Bisat was carried unanimously.
Signed J.M. Kirk President
Mar 13, 1889
The Fifth Meeting of the Session was held in the Robing Room, Guildhall.
Mr. J.M. Kirk (President) in the chair. Thirty members & friends were present.
The Secretary read a letter from the Executors of the late Cannon Brock (Mr. Malon) respecting the two microscopes lent by him to the Society some years ago. It was agreed to refer the consideration of this letter to the Committee.
Dr. J.M. Wilson then took the chair in place of Mr. Kirk who read a paper – the sixth in a series – on “The Lower Forms of Animal Life”
[A newspaper cutting is pasted into the minute book at this point]
In the course of his paper, which dealt with specimens found in this district, he said that if they collected a small portion of the vegetation which was found at the surface or sides of a pond, as well as some of the clear water, it would always be found to contain many living things; some just visible to the naked eye, whilst others would require to be greatly magnified before they could be detected. It was commonly supposed that foul and stagnant water contained the best collection of living objects for the microscope, and most hunters after this minute life would have had a dip of an unsavoury and uncanny-looking mixture offered to them as being sure to afford something worth looking at. In point of numbers that sort of water might gain the day, but it only abounded in the commonest and what they might call most insignificant forms of life, extending no higher in the scale than paramecium aurelia. The purer the water the higher the form of animalculae they would find, and the most beautiful and most prized kinds were almost without exception found in the sweetest water. It was his intention to deal with those forms of life which he had himself found in this neighbourhood, and he might say that Doncaster was considered by microscopists in other towns to be a most advantageous hunting ground, and he had twice when away from home, on admiring some fine specimens, been told that it was obtained at or near this town. On referring to their glass of water freshly drawn from a pond they would see the higher living things mostly I rapid movement about the water, whilst some clung to the small plants and weeds. They were usually small crustacea and also the larvae and active nymphs of insects. Sometimes a water spider was included, and often small wriggling worms were to be seen. But the most numerous dwellers in the water were either in a few instances just visible to the naked eye or were to be seen in countless numbers with the aid of high magnifying powers under a compound microscope – some single drops of water containing a greater number of life than our world has inhabitants. A discolouration of water might sometimes be noticed, which was caused by the presence of crowds of microscopic, or nearly microscopic animals, which were called animalculae, or little animals, and also infusoria, or animals which live in infusions. In water which might be icy cold or very warm, and in water which was impregnated with foetid gas and decaying animal and vegetable remains, these simple, active, wandering, or sedentary microscopic creatures, which constituted the lowest form of the animal kingdom, and which in some instances were separable only in a very arbitrary manner from some members of the vegetable kingdom, might be found in abundance. If lately-collected rain-water were examined in the hope of discovering any of the minute forms of life, they would be disappointed, but if some hay or any vegetable matter were allowed to soak in pure water exposed to the air, or if pieces of fish or any animal substance were placed in water and also exposed for a day or two, a great many species of these animalculae of infusoria, the individuals being in vast multitudes would be distinguishable. Infusoria were discovered in all climes; they had been found 60 feet below the surface of the earth and in mud brought up from a depth of 1,600 feet of ocean. They existed at the poles and the equator, in the fluids of the animal body and plants, and in the most powerful acids. They did not find it easy to explain that the objects which swam about the water with apparently some small amount of will of their own belonged to the vegetable and not the animal kingdom. The axiom of Linnaeus was well known. In the case of the higher animals and plants there was no difficulty – the former being at once distinguished by the possession of nervous system, of motor power which they could use at will, and of an internal cavity fitted to receive and digest solid food. The higher plants, on the other hand, had some of those qualifications. Those distinctions, however, did not hold good as regarded the lower and less highly organised members of the two kingdoms. As to form and shape, no absolute distinction could be laid down, and this was also the case as to their internal structure/ Next, as to motor power. This, though broadly distinctive of animals, could by no means be said to be characteristic of them. As a rile, all plants were endowed with the power of converting inorganic into organic matter. On the other hand, no known animal had that power. Plants were the great manufacturers in nature, animals the great consumers. It might, not unnaturally, have been thought that the lowest classes of animals would show the most affinity to the highest plants, and thus a gradual passage between the two kingdoms would be established. That was just what the evolutionist would like. It was not so, however. The lower animals were not allied to the higher plants but to the lower, and it was in the very lowest members of the vegetable kingdom that they found such a decide animal gift as the power of independent locomotion. The lecturer referred to many different species of animal life, and the lecture, which was of a most interesting and instructive nature, was illustrated with 60 drawings and objects shown under the microscope.
Signed J.M. Kirk.
April 3rd, 1889
Committee Meeting
Present – Mr. J.M. Kirk (President), Dr. J.M. Wilson, Mr. Hasselby, 7 Mr. Stiles (Hon. Sec.)
The minutes of the previous meeting were read & confirmed
The Secretary reported that he had – at the suggestion of some members of this committee – sent a Wreath to Cannon Brock’s Funeral.
It was resolved that this action be confirmed & that the Secretary be thanked for what he had done.
The committee then took into consideration a letter from Mr. Malan respecting Cannon Brock’s microscopes. It was decided that it would be advantageous to purchase one of these for the society.
The committee also considered the letter from the British Association previously referred to & it was suggested that this should be handed over to Mr. B.S. Brundell.
It was also resolved unanimously that an application be made to the corporation for the use of the Old Free Library for the Museum & other purposes.
Signed J.M. Kirk.
March 27 1889
The sixth Ordinary Meeting of the session was held in the Robing Room, Guildhall.
Mr. J.M. Kirk (President) in the chair.
Eighteen members & friends were [present.
The Rev. T.E. Lindsay, B.A., F.C.S., F.G.S, then read a paper on “Chalk”.
The lecturer, after describing its Physical & Chemical properties, said that the structure as revealed by the microscope showed the formation to be identical with that of the Globigerina mud formed by the disintegration of shells of Foraminifera in the Ocean bed investigated by Sir Wyville Thomson. [He served as the chief scientist on the Challenger Expedition}
The Geological formation to which this mineral gives name was describe as of very various characters in different places marked however by similar genera of fossils as the Planes Kack, Sandstone, etc.
The extent in Europe was described as being in two large beds. The Anglo-Paris basin extending in England to the Chilton Hills & Cambridgeshire & the Great Southern formation stretching away to India & the heart of Asia.
The various formations characteristic of Upper Chalk were then described.
1. Gault
2. Upper Greensand
3. Chalk maul
4. White Chalk without flints
5. White Chalk with flints
6. Most recent beds at Faxoe & Maesticht
Some characteristic remains of these beds were next described & a few diagrams displayed.
The Fauna, Birds, Fishes, Saurian & Flora with many plants now existing were also alluded to. The presence of Flint Nodules in chalk at regular intervals – centres of crystallization – was also touched upon. A discussion followed, after which a vote of thanks to the lecturer was proposed by Mr. Stiles & seconded by Dr. Mitchell Wilson.
Signed J.M. Kirk
April 10th 1889
The Seventh Ordinary Meeting of the Session was held in the robing Room, Guildhall.
Mr. J.M. Kirk (President) in the chair.
Eighteen members & friends were present
After the minutes of the previous meeting had been read & confirmed
[A newspaper cutting is pasted into the minute book at this point]
A paper on “The Rings of Saturn” was read by Mr. T.L. Atkinson, B.A., LL.B., of which the following is an abstract.
Saturn’s planetary nature must have been known at an early period, but it was not until 1610 that his rings were first noticed as protuberances on either side of the planet, nor was it recognised till 1659 that these appearances were due to Saturn being surrounded by a thin, flat ring.
The planet revolves in its orbit once every 29 ½ years, the plane of the rings always moving parallel to itself and always inclined at an angle of 25° 10′ 21.95″ to its orbit. Consequently, in each complete revolution in the orbit there are two periods during which the plane of the ring cuts the earth’s orbit, each of these periods being rather more than a year’s duration. During each such period the rings will disappear at least once since the plane of the rings comes during some part of that period, between the earth and the sun, and only the unenlightened side of the rings is visible on earth.
About 100 years ago Herschell discovered that it was not one ring only which surrounded the planet, but two concentric rings with a considerable interval between them, and in 1850 it was found that there was within these another ring, not bright like the other two, but of a dusky tinge, and such that the planet’s disc could be seen through if without distortion. And now gaps have been discovered in these three rings, rendering it possible that the ring system consists of many rings. The total breadth of these rings has been estimated at about 37,000 miles, the mean diameter of the planet itself being over 70,000 miles.
It was formerly assumed that the ring (as we may call the ring system) was solid. Laplace showed that it must revolve, for if not it would at once fall down on the surface of the planet, and Herschel by observing certain spots on the ring found it did revolve in about 10 hours 32 minutes 15 seconds, this period referring to the outer ring. Laplace also showed that the ring system could not consist only of one ring, for such a ring would be unable to withstand the strain that would necessarily be put upon it, a fact which it is very easy to believe when we find that if we were to make a model of the ring 30 feet in diameter, it would have to be only about one-fifth of an inch thick. He also showed that the ring, if solid, could not be uniform, for if it were, the system would not be stable, and the slightest disturbance would precipitate the ring upon the planet. He suggested that the ring might be loaded at one point so that the centre of mass should not coincide with the centre of figure, and that this would be sufficient to preserve stability.
But in 1857 Maxwell in the Adam’s Prize Essay, showed that the distribution of mass would have to be so unsymmetrical that the rings could not have the appearance which they actually present. Hence he concluded that the ring is not solid, and therefore must either be fluid or consist of a number of disconnected particles. The former they cannot be for waves would be created and the ring broken up into satellites. The ring must therefore consist of a large number of small disconnected particles, most probably solid, and possibly arranged into rings, but at all events independent and revolving about the planet like satellites.
In the inner dark ring these particles must be sparsely distributed, and we thus have the explanation of the fact that Saturn is visible through the ring without distortion. It has been thought that the ring has grown in width, though it is not absolutely certain that such is the case, and if such growth has taken place it is probable that it has done so by the inner boundary of the ring approaching nearer to Saturn, and that the outer boundary has not receded furth from the planet to any appreciable extent.
The paper, which was illustrated by diagrams, was followed by a discussion, in which several members joined, after which a vote of thanks to the lecturer was proposed bt Dr. J.M. Wilson, and seconded by Mr. Furnivall.
Signed J.M. Kirk
April 24, 1889
The Eighth Ordinary Meeting of the Session was held in the Robing Room, Guildhall.
Mr. J.M. Kirk (President) in the chair.
Fourteen members & friends were present.
Dr. J. Mitchell Wilson read a paper on “Three Forms of Bacilli.”
[No details follow]
Sep 25, 1889
Committee Meeting
Present – Mr. J.M. Kirk (President), Dr. J.M. Wilson, J.G. Walker, T.H. Easterfield, W. Roberts, W.E. Atkinson, & M.H. Stiles.
The minutes of the previous committee meeting were read & confirmed.
The following resolutions were discussed & agreed to.
Proposed by Mr. Kirk & seconded by Mr. Walker that a memorial asking for the use of the Old Free Library be prepared by the President, Dr. J.M. Wilson & the Hon. Sec. & submitted for approval to this committee.
Proposed by Dr. Wilson & seconded by Mr. Easterfield that a report for the last three years be prepared & published.
A list of officers for the coming Session was then prepared for submission to the General Meeting which was fixed for Oct 9th.
Signed Mitchell Wilson.
Oct 29, 1889
Committee Meeting
Present – Mr. J.M. Kirk (President), Dr. J. Mitchell Wilson, The Rev. Geo. Smith, & Messrs. Roberts, Winter, & Stiles (Hon. Sec.)
Proposed by the Rev, Geo. Smith & seconded by Geo. Winter that the draft memorial to the Council prepared by the Sub-committee appointed at the previous meeting be adopted by this committee for presentation to the Annual Meeting.
Resolved on the motion of Dr. Wilson, seconded by the Re. Geo. Smith that the Report & Statement of Accounts presented by the Secretary be received.
Signed Walter Roberts.
Report for the Session 1888-9
Your committee has much pleasure in presenting the Tenth Annual Report of the Doncaster Microscopical & General Scientific Society.
The Programme for the past Session was one of the most varied & attractive yet offered to the members of this Society. Still the Committee have again to express their regret that the average attendance (eighteen) should continue so poor, especially when it is borne in mind what an amount of time & trouble the preparation of these papers must have involved.
The papers read were eight in number & the titles & their authors were as follows.
Lantern Slides & how they are made by M.H. Stiles
Insects injurious to Agriculture by W. Roberts.
The Migration of Birds by T. Bunker (Goole)
Landscape Photography by G. Bisat.
Lower Forms of Animal Life (sixth paper) by J.M. Kirk.
Chalk by The Rev. T.E. Lindsay, B.A., F.C.S., F.G.S.
The Rings of Saturn by T.L. Atkinson, B.A., L.L.B.
Three Forms of Bacilli by J.M. Wilson, M.D.
From the appended statement of accounts, it will be seen that the financial position of the Society shows continued improvement. The working expenses for the past year have been £5. 17. O. & the income £9. 5. 10. The balance in the hands of the treasurer thus increasing from £11. 5. 1. To £14. 13. 11.
Statement of Accounts
| Receipts | Payments | ||
| Balance in hand | 11. 5. 1. | Printing | 2. 6. 0. |
| Interest from bank | 5. 10. | Books | 17. 9. |
| Subscriptions 9 for 88 | 1. 5. 0. | Meeting Room | 1. 11. 6. |
| 23 ½ for 89 | 5. 17. 6. | Wreath (Cannon Brock) | 1. 6. |
| 3 ½ for 90 | 17. 6. | Correspondence | 14. 3. |
| Cash in bank | 11. 12. 5. | ||
| Cash in hand | 3. 1. 6. | ||
| £20. 10. 11. | £20. 10. 11. |
Examined & found correct. Signed Geo. Walker 30/10/89
Your committee offer for adoption by this meeting the following memorial, which they have prepared in accordance with a resolution passed by this society.
“To the Worshipful the Mayor, Aldermen and Councilors of the Borough of Doncaster.
We, the undersigned President, Vice-President, Committee & member of the Doncaster Microscopical & General Scientific Society and other persons interested in the memorial, beg most respectfully to solicit your aid in furthering the objects of the Society & in helping the diffusion of a taste for Science & Kindred subjects by granting the use of the Old Free Library for our meetings & lectures and for the purpose of establishing a Town Museum. The remarkable success of the Major’s Exhibition in May last afforded ample evidence of the deep interest taken in such matters by all classes of our fellow townsmen. That interesting and instructive display drew forth many expressions of opinion that it was desirable by the establishment of a museum; to render permanent the advantages derived from such a collection. In this Museum could be deposited antiquarian curiosities, together with the objects & specimens illustrative of Natural History, which are from time to time found in the Town or neighbourhood or which are now in the possession of private persons. Many of these persons would gladly hand them over for the purpose of a Local Museum & indeed, some have already done so.
It is well known That places considerably smaller & of less importance than Doncaster have well appointed & valuable museums. Your Memorialists are of opinion that the present is an eminently suitable opportunity for the founding of one in Doncaster, with this view we venture to ask your kind cooperation, to enable us to form the nucleus of a Collection, which may, we hope, hereafter grow to be worthy of the Town.”
Signed Walter Roberts.
Oct 30 1889.
General Meeting.
Mr. J.M. Kirk, President, I the chair.
Four members & a Reporter were present.
Mr. H.H. Corbett was unanimously elected a member of the society.
The minutes of the last ordinary meeting were read & confirmed.
The Hon. Sec. then read the Annual Report & Statement of Accounts.
On the motion of Mr. Roberts, seconded by Mr. Winter, it was resolved that these be received & adopted..
The following gentlemen ere then elected as office bearers for the coming session.
President – Mr. Walter Roberts.
Vice-Presidents – The Rev. W.R. Weston, Dr. J.M. Wilson, Mr. J.G. Walker, Rev. Geo. Smith.
Committee – W.E. Atkinson, Mr. Geo. Winter, Rev. T.E. Lindsay, J.M. Kirk, Geo. Bisat, T.R. Nicholas.
Hon. Secretary & Treasurer – M.H. Stiles.
The Hon. Sec. then read the Memorial which had been prepared by the Committee asking the Corporation to grant them the use of the Old Free Library for a Museum & other purposes. It was unanimously resolved that this be adopted & presented with the signatures of the members of this society & of other persons interested in it.
[A newspaper cutting is here pasted into the minute book]
Doncaster Microscopical and Scientific Society – The annual meeting of members was held at the Guild Hall on Wednesday night. Mr. J.M. Kirk presided. Mr. H. Corbett was unanimously elected a member of the society. Mr. M.H. Stiles, honorary secretary, read the report, which said that the programme of the past session was one of the most varied they have ever had, but the attendances were poor. The financial position of the society had continued to improve, the income being £20 10s. 11d. and the expenditure £14 13s. 11d. The balance had increased from £11 5s. 1d, to £14 13s. 11d. – The Chairman said it was easy work and a pleasure to be president of the society. Three of them had the honour and pleasure of starting that society in 1880. Two of them were then present, and their hearts were in the work yet. Within a few days they were joined by another gentleman, who was present, so that three of the originators of the society were now at work, and they made up their minds that a microscopical society should exist in the town, and it had existed for a number of years and had done a work of which they might be proud. They had fostered science certainly among themselves. Personally, he had learned what little science he knew through the society, and others could trace a great deal of their knowledge through that society. They had encouraged in different ways and had done what they could to encourage the public, and their efforts to instruct the public had been at their own expense. They did not grumble at that. They had had conversations, which had brought honour to the society. If the society had not held them, they would not have been held. They brought the Gilchrist lectures and several distinguished lecturers at their own expense, and one could not help feeling some little pride in the society. They were the mainspring of the mayor’s exhibition at the Mansion House, and altogether his connection with the society had been one of his very greatest pleasures. In leaving the presidency he had to nominate a gentleman who he was sure would do quite as much as he had done, and perhaps he would give a little more energy to it. He proposed that Mr. W. Roberts., the senior vice-president, be the president for the next year. – Mr Stiles seconded the proposition. He said his acquaintance with Mr. Roberts began with his connection with the society, and it had been a very pleasant one. He had the greatest possible pleasure in seconding the nomination, and he was sure that Mr. Roberts would fill the position with credit to himself and the society. – Mr. Winter said he was exceedingly obliged to the members for the great honour they had done him. He considered that it was no small honour to be president of that society, and he must say that all the scientific knowledge he possessed, which had d been of infinite value and pleasure to him, he had obtained through his connection with the society, and he felt it to be a proud moment of his life that he was called to take that very honourable position. (Applause) – On the motion of Mr, Stiles, seconded by Mr. Winter, the following were elected vice-presidents: – Rev. W.R. Weston, Dr. J.M. Wilson, Mr. J.G. Walker, and Rev. G. Smith. – The committee were appointed as follows: – Rev. T.E. Lindsay, Messrs. G. Winter, Atkinson, J.M. Kirk, Nicholas, and Bisat. – The Chairman said they know that the real work of the society fell upon the secretary, and he had pleasure in proposing the re-election of Mr. Stiles, who had managed to keep a nice balance in hand. – Mr winter seconded, and Mt Robert as supported, the latter stating that from the commencement Mr. Stiles had been the life and soul of the society, and had proved a most able secretary and treasurer. – Mr. Stiles, in reply, said it had been a labour of love to him, and he would be pleased to take office another year., though he must say that at times he had felt that he wished some one else would take the post. – This concluded the public business.
Signed Walter Roberts.
Nov 13, 1889
The First Ordinary Meeting of the session was held in the Robing Room, Guildhall.
Mr. Walter Roberts (President) in the chair.
Thirteen members & visitors were present.
The minutes of the previous meeting were read & confirmed. After a few opening remarks by the president, Mr. H.H. Corbett read a paper on “Protective Mimicry as exhibited in British Lepidoptera”.
The lecturer introduced the subject by defining Protective Mimicry as “any form or colour possessed by an animal or plant which by resembling surrounding objects either inanimate or animate gives its possessor greater chances of avoiding observation by its foes”.
Examples are found both in the animal & vegetable worlds. Dealing specially with British Lepidoptera, examples were taken from all four stages of the insects life.
The eggs are mostly similar in colour to the objects upon which they are laid, some imitate other objects, the egg of the Puss Moth being laid on a Willow leaf & is like the galls of these leaves, In other cases the eggs are laid on & simulate the bark, etc.
Larvae Many are very like their surroundings. Most of those that feed exposed upon leaves are green, others which depart from the green colour of the leaves imitate the browns & greys of the branches & are in many cases provided with birch-like & thorn-like projections from their bodies. The Larvae of the genus Catocala are exactly like a branch of Ivy with the nodlets at the sides. Crataegus oxyacantha is just like a twig of the white thorn upon which it feeds.
Imitations of leaves were also noticed.
Pupae Nearly all subterranean pupae are black or brown & many are enclosed in a cocoon of silk & earth which renders them very inconspicuous; others are hidden in the crevice’s of the bark of trees & are protected by small cocoons made of chips of bark, rendering them almost impossible to detect.
Imago. Butterflies at rest have their wings closed with the inferior surface exposed; consequently, the protective colours are found on the lower side. Many moths on the other hand rest with the upper surface of the primaries exposed & it is here that we meet with protective colours in this case. Others have all the wings fully exposed when at rest & then the protective colours are seen in both pairs of wings.
The group of moths known as Clearwings imitate bees, wasps & other insects, their wings being transparent & the abdomen coloured. Other examples of mimicry were also mentioned.
The President, at some length, opened an interesting discussion in which several of the members joined, after which a cordial vote of thanks to the lecturer was proposed by Mr. Stiles & seconded by Mr. W.E. Atkinson.
Signed Walter Roberts.
Dec 11, 1889
The second Ordinary Meeting of the Session was held in the Robing Room, Guildhall.
Mr. W. Roberts, President, in the chair.
Eight members were present.
The following resolution respecting the publication of the report was proposed by Dr. Mitchell Wilson, seconded by Mr. Corbett & carried.
“it having been reported that the Secretary in unable to carry out the resolution of the last committee meeting that the transactions of the last three years be printed, resolved. That the secretary give notice to each member who may not have sent him the abstract of their papers, that unless these are sent to him within a month the printing of the Report will be proceeded with & only a formal notice of such paper will be given”.
Mr. Hasselby then read a paper on “A piece of clay.”
Referring in the first place to the antiquity of its use, the lecturer followed by a statement of the composition of the various clays in ordinary use. These were shown to be chiefly Silicates of Aluminium with varying amounts of Lime, Iron & other substances. The purest of all clays – Kaolin- which is the principal constituent of Chinese porcelain – was described & an account given of the discovery of the secret of its production & of its influence upon European manufacturers. A variety of clays from different localities were shown & their geological origin from granite alluded to; followed by a notice of the diversified applications of clay, artistic & domestic, from the earliest times to the present day & an account of their most prominent characteristics. The paper closed with a reference to the chemistry of clay & its constituents from the Ruby & Sapphire to the metal Aluminium with special reference to the future applications of the latter.
A long & interesting discussion followed embracing the chemical Geological & industrial aspects of the subject agter which a vote of thanks to Mr. Hasselby for his nery able & interesting paper was proposed by Mr. Stiles & seconded by Mr. Furnival.
Signed Walter Roberts.
Jan 8, 1890
The Third Ordinary Meeting of the Session was held in the Robing Room, Guildhall.
Mr. Walter Roberts, President, in the chair.
Thirteen members & friends were present.
Mr. J.M. Kirk opened a discussion on local museums in which he drew attention to the desirability of making an effort to establish one in Doncaster & read the memorial which had been drawn up by the committee with the view of asking the Corporation to grant this Society the use of the Old Free Library for the purpose referred to.
This memorial is copied into the minutes and appears as an appendix to the Report for 1889. Several gentlemen spoke in favour of the project including the chairman, Mr. Stiles, Mr. W.E. Atkinson, Mr. Furnival, & Mr. Winter & eventually it was proposed by Mr. Roberts & seconded by Mr. Stiles that the memorial as read by Mr. Kirk be presented to the Corporation.
The following gentlemen each undertook to obtain ten signatures to the memorial.
Messrs. Roberts, Kirk, Atkinson. Winter, Stiles, Bisat, Furnival, Nicholas.
A vote of thanks to Mr. Kirk was proposed by Mr. Stiles & seconded by Mr. Furnival
Jan 24 1890
Committee Meeting.
Present – Mr. Walter Roberts (President), The Rev. T.E. Lindsay, Messrs. Bisat, Winter, & Stiles (hon. Sec.)
The arrangement for the forthcoming exhibition meeting having been stated by the President were approved by the Committee.
In connection with the proposed issue of the Society’s Report & Transactions the secretary submitted a quotation from Waterlow & Sons. For a portrait of Cannon Brock to serve as a frontispiece for the said publication. This not being satisfactory, it was resolved that other firms be written to on the subject.
Signed Walter Roberts.
Jan 29, 1890
An Exhibition meeting was held in Brown’s Rooms, High Street, of which the following report appears in the Doncaster Paper.
[a newspaper cutting is pasted into the minute book at this point]
Doncaster Microscopical and General Scientific Society. – On Wednesday night, at Brown’s Rooms, a conversazione and very interesting exhibition was held in connection with this society. The president for the year, it seems, is Mr. Walter Roberts, and he thought it would be a nice change and break in the ordinary work to have an exhibition of this kind. With this intention he issued invitations to the members of the society and their friends and to his own personal friends, and notwithstanding that, naturally, the accommodation was limited, nearly 200 1 accepted. The exhibition was as interesting as it was varied, There was a large display of microscopes, by which were shown a variety of objects of scientific interest, There were also some beautiful photographs, which it is said were the original work of the members of the society, and a magnificent collection of butterflies. The latter had been lent by Dr. Corbett, while the photographs were the work of, among others, Messrs. W, Roberts, M.H. Stiles, Geo. Bisat, and W.Y. Gent (Stockwith). Amongst those who had provided instruments were Messrs. Roberts, Winter, Hasselby, Stott, Lewis, Corbett, Thellason (Brodsworth), Kirk, Stiles, and B.S. Brundell, Rev. W. Smith, Rev. W. Weston, Dr. Clark, and Dr. Burman (Wath). During the evening tea, coffee, and other kinds of refreshments were served. Amongst those noticed were the mayor, Mr. R. Stockil, Mr. B.S. Brundell, Rev. W.R. Mrs. and the Misses Weston, Rev. H. Hasting, Mr. and Mrs Liddle, Mrs. and miss Dearden, Rev. W. Smith, Rev. M. Westcombe, Mr. J.G. Walker, Mrs. Clark, Miss Tracy, Rev. T.E. Lindsay, Rev. C. J. Woodhouse, Mr. M.H. Stiles, Dr. Corbett, Dr. Burnam (Wath), Mr. E. Atkinson, Councilor and Mrs. Nettleton, and Mrs. Furnivall. The exhibits which chiefly attracted attention were three living objects procured by the president, one of them being a couple of ova of trout. One of these had hatched during the night, and so trout were shown six hours old, and through Mr. Kirk’s fine microscope the circulation of blood could be distinctly seen.
[Notes. Corrections made to the newspaper cutting in the margin of the minute book were
1. 200 crossed out and 80 shown in its place.]
Feb 19, 1890
The Fifth Ordinary Meeting of the Session was held in the Robing Room, Guildhall.
Mr. Walter Roberts (President) in the chair.
Seven members & friends were present.
The minutes of the previous meeting were taken as read, after which the President called upon the Secretary (Mr. Stiles) to give his paper on “Improvements on Photomicrography”.
The lecturer stated that during the past few years very considerable improvements had taken place in that department of Photography which had for its object the delineation of microscopic objects. These were of three-fold characters, embracing the arrangement of apparatus including methods of illumination, improvements in objectives & improvements in Plates.
After a thorough trial of the two systems of working with the eyepiece & without, Mr. Stiles had come to the conclusion that better results were obtainable by the latter method: the field being flatter & the general definition consequently more perfect. The plan of working without the eyepiece necessitated the use of a longer camera & of a special appliance for turning the milled head of the fine adjustment.
It is a great advantage to have the microscope & lamp arranged on a separate baseboard especially when the higher powers are employed, the object can thus be singled out & all adjustments made with the minimum of trouble & under direct observation. When everything is satisfactory arranged the eyepiece is withdrawn, a black-lined tube put in its place & the microscope baseboard with the illuminating apparatus attached placed on the general baseboard which carries the camera.
In setting up the apparatus everything is adjusted so that the centre of the flame, the axis of the condenser & of the microscope & the centre of the plate are in the same line. With the higher powers this is especially important. As a source of light, a single wick paraffin lamp was found to answer capitally for all powers up to & including a 1/12 numeration. The lamp was used with the edge of the flame turned to the stage, the rays being parallel by a Bulls Eye condenser placed with its flat side close to the flame & at a distance of about 8 or 9 inches from the stage. For powers of ½ inch & upwards an Achromatic Condenser was employed at its focal distance from the object: for low powers, 1 inch to 4 inch, a double convex lens of 2 ½ inch focus was substituted for the achromatic condenser & gave excellent results also with the 4 inch the flame of the lamp placed slightly obliquely.
In working with ordinary plates, objectives as formerly made usually required a certain amount of correction for the want of coincidence of their visual & chemical rays. Objectives can now be obtained specially corrected for photomicrography. A simple & easy plan of ascertaining the amount of correction required with any objective was shown & specimen trial plates were exhibited. The importance of accurate focussing was insisted on & the lecturer explained his method of doing this & exhibited the apparatus employed. The latter which was very simple & effective consisted of a wooden block replacing the ordinary focussing screen pieced by a hole about 2 ½ inches in diameter, a brass plate sliding over the hole carried an aperture for the No. 1 eyepiece, the position of the latter being so adjusted that when a object was in sharp focus on the ground glass it was also seen at its best through the eyepiece.
The advantage of this method is especially apparent with high powers.
The value of Isochromatic Plates in photomicrography were so obvious that they no sooner became an article of trade than they began to be employed for this work. It is well known that the dark brown chitinous tissue of insects is particularly non actinic & that deep coloured insect preparations show very little detail in their shadows.
This defect may to a very great extent be overcome by the use of Isochromatic plates.
But there are other important advantages which the lecturer believed had up to the present time been pointed out.
These plates are extremely sensitive to artificial light so much so that Edward’s medium Rapidity are 8 to 10 times as rapid as an Ilford ordinary plate.
Further experiments on another point are required before a definite opinion can be given, but the lecturer had every reason to believe that with these plates no correction for want of coincidence between the usual & chemical rays were required with objectives that needed it in working with ordinary plates.
Signed Walter Roberts
March 12, 1890
The Seventh Ordinary Meeting of the Session was held in the Robing Room, Guildhall.
Mr. Walter Roberts (President) in the chair.
Eight members & friends were present.
The paper of the evening was by Mr. Geo. Bisat on a “Photographic Tour in North Wales” in which the lecturer gave a graphic description of a very pleasant holiday he had spent with his camera & a friend in the midst of some of the most beautiful scenery of the Principality. He had selected Barmouth as his centre & from that place made excursions of greater or less extent into the surrounding country. Although not favoured on the whole with particularly good photographic weather, he had succeeded in securing between 30 & 40 views, some of them of considerable beauty & interest. After the delivery of the paper the meeting became a conversational one & the remainder of the evening was spent in examining & critising the photographs produced bt the lecturer. A cordial vote of thanks to Mr. Bisat was proposed by Mr. Stiles & seconded by Mr. W.E. Atkinson.
April 30, 1890
The Eighth Ordinary Meeting of the Session was held in the Robing Room, Guildhall.
Mr. H.H. Corbett in the chair.
19 members & friends were present.
The Hon. Sec. reported that Dr. P.H. Emerson (the author of Naturalistic Photography) had presented to the Society a copy of his work entitled “Pictures of East Anglian Life”. It was unanimously resolved that a vote of thanks be conveyed to Dr. Emerson in acknowledgement of this.
Mr. W. Roberts then read a paper on “Ants” of which the following is an abstract.
“With the exception of the bee, there is no better known or more universally popular than the ant. From the earliest times it has attracted the attention, not only of naturalists, but of philosophers and poets, while it has served the writer of every age to “point his moral” on industry and thrift.
Ants are divided into three families – the Formicidae, Poneridae, and Myrinicidae.
These again comprise many genera, and a large number of species, upwards of a thousand being known. In this country we have over 30 varieties. Like bees, ants are social insects, living in communities, regulated by definite laws, each member of the society bearing a separate and well defined part in the organisation and arrangement of the colony. An ant’s nest contains three kinds of individuals, representing a threefold distinction of sex. There are the workers or neuters, males, and females or grums. The males have four delicately formed and transparent wings. The queen may be distinguished by her larger size and greater expansion of wing. The workers never have wings. In most species of ants, the workers and females posses a sting, but in some varieties, they are absent, in these cases they are provided with poison glands containing venomous fluid known to chemists as formic acid, which they have the power to eject with considerable force, and to a great distance, as a weapon of defense when attacked by enemies. The workers constitute the majority of the population of the colony, and they perform all the duties that contribute to the welfare of the community. They build the nest and keep it in repair: they provide all the food; they attend to the hatching and rearing of the young; and they defend the nest against depredation and carry on aggressive warfare. It has recently been discovered that the latter functions are performed by workers that exceed the others greatly in size and armament, whose duties are exclusively to act as soldiers of the community, an office for which their size and powerful mandibles admirably adapt them.
The ant colony is not established by swarming as is the case with bees – either the queens join an old nest, or they associate themselves with a number of workers, and with their assistance commence a new nest, or they found new nests for themselves. Should no queen join an old nest voluntarily the workers set forth in search of some which they take prisoner and conduct to the nest, removing their wings to prevent their escape. Sentinels are also posted to watch their movement and prevent their escape. When the queen commences to lay eggs, all restraint is removed and a universal gladness spreads through the nest. A crowd of courtiers attend her, offering food, caressing her with their mandibles, and carrying her about their city. Much of the time of the workers is occupied in attention to the eggs and larvae for which they evince the greatest devotion. Immediately the eggs are laid they are collected and placed in heaps, moistened with their tongues and carried to warmer or cooler situations in the nest as the weather may render needful. They spare neither time, labour, nor their own lives in their care and protection of the helpless larvae. They have an instinctive knowledge of the precise moment when the insect will be disclosed of, they mount upon the cocoon and carefully open the silken envelope where the head lies and gently extricate the prisoner. The ants nest, or formicary, varies much in form and material, scarcely two species build alike. Clay, earth, and vegetable matter are the chief materials employed, and excavations under ground and erections above ground, in trees, walls, or house roofs are the most common situation of nests. The general plan shows an arrangement of flats or storers connected throughout by passages and supported by pillars. A store with saloons, vaulted roofs, partitions and galleries will be completed in seven or eight hours. The engineering skill of ants is exhibited in constructing roads, when such obstacles as stones are removed, grass and herbage mown down, cuttings are made and even arched over so as to form covered ways. They also excavate subterranean tunnels, sometimes under a stream of water, when they will commence operations exactly at the right spot to time the proper gradients, Ants are capable of communicating to each other their ideas and wishes. They do not emit any sound, but by signs and signals communicate by touching each other with their antennae. Fierce and bloody wars are of frequent occurrence in ant life, when the opposing hordes fight with desperate courage, the battle continuing for days together, and only cease when the combatants are separated by heavy rains. Certain tribes of ants keep slaves in captivity. The masters are red in colour, while the slaves are black, and so are called negroes. Regular slave-hunting expeditions are organised, the habitations of the negro ants are attacked, and the captives carried off in triumph. Some of slave-making ants compel their slaves to do all the work usually done by the workers, even to feeding them and carrying them upon their backs, and they have even been known to die of starvation when deprived of their slaves. Ants feed upon both animal and vegetable substances. They destroy large numbers of caterpillars and small insects, and so are very beneficial to plants. They are particularly fond of saccharine matter, and many species feed largely upon the sweet fluid known as honey dew, which is exuded from the bodies of aphids or plant lice. To obtain this, the ants actually have the power by certain movements of the antennae, of inducing the aphids to emit the fluid, thus making them their milch cattle. They also keep the aphids in captivity, enclosing them in earthen huts or cow sheds which are frequently connected with a paddock. Not only do they care for the adult aphids, but the eggs are the object of their attention. They recognise the importance of the preservation of the eggs, so as to secure a supply of food, and when the aphids kept in captivity have laid their eggs they are collected and treated with the greatest care, and when the period of hatching arrives they are carried forth from the nests and carefully deposited on the food plants of the insect. It has been stated that ants do not harvest their food in the summer, as stated by Solomon. But the observations of these making the statements have not extended beyond the British Isles. It is true that British ants do not lay up stores for the winter. But the tropical countries and in warmer parts of Europe ants do harvest grain in the manner alluded to by the wise man.
During the reading of the paper the chair was occupied Mr. H.H. Corbett. A discussion followed, after which a vote of thanks to Mr. Roberts for his exhaustive and interesting paper was proposed by the chairman and seconded by Mr. Stiles.
Signed J.M. Kirk
Oct 8, 1890
Committee Meeting held in the Guildhall.
Present – Mr. Walter Roberts (President) in the chair, The Rev. W.R. Weston, Rev T.E. Lindsay, Messrs. J.G. Walker, Bisat, Kirk, & Stiles.
The minutes of the previous meeting were read & approved.
Resolved that the estimate (16/-) for 100 copies of Cannon Brock portrait be accepted & that the Secretary be requested to proceed with the Publication of the Proceedings.
Signed J. Greenhalgh Walker
Oct 15, 1890
General Meeting Indictment Room, Guildhall.
In the absence of the President through indisposition, Mr. J.M. Kirk took the chair.
The minutes of the previous meeting were read & approved.
The Annual Report, including the Statement of Accounts, were received & adopted on the motion of Mr. Kirk, seconded by Mr. Walker.
It was resolved that the Society subscribed to Bolton to secure a supply of living objects for the microscope to exhibit at the various meetings & also that the following books be purchased.
Pringle’s Photo-Micrography [Scovill’s Practical Photo-Micrography by Andrew Pringle. Pub 1890]
Cooke’s Fresh Water Algae [British Fresh-Water Algae, Exclusive of Desmideae and Diatomaceae by M.C. Cooke, M.A. LL.D., A.A.S. Vol ii Plates. Pub 1882-1884]
It was also resolved that a circular descriptive of the objects of the Society be drawn up & distributed & that the limit of age for associateship be raised to 20 years.
It was also suggested in response to an invitation from the Y.N.U. that Sprotbro’ should be proposed as a place of meeting for 1891.
The following were then elected as officers for the coming Session.
President – Mr. J.G. Walker
Vice-Presidents – Rev. W.R. Weston, Dr. J.M. Wilson, Mr. W.E. Atkinson, Mr. Geo. Winter.
Committee – Rev. T.E. Lindsay, Messrs. J.M. Kirk, Geo. Bisat, H.H. Corbett, W. Roberts, & T.J. Hasselby.
Hon. Secretary & Treasurer – Mr. M. H. Stiles.
Signed J. Greenhalgh Walker, President.
Statement of Accounts 1889-90
| Receipts | Payments | ||
| 9 subscriptions for 1889 | 1. 5. 0 | Meeting Rooms | 1. 14. 6 |
| 22 ubscriptions for 1890 | 5. 0. 0 | Printing | 1. 6. 3 |
| 2 subscriptions for 1891 | 10. 0 | Stamps & correspondence | 16. 3 |
| Interest from Bank | 5. 6 | Y.N.U. levy 2 years | 17. 3 |
| Balance Oct 30 / 89 | 14. 13. 11 | Carriage, hire of plants etc. | 12. 5 |
| Balance Oct 15 / 90 | 17. 7. 9 | ||
| £23. 4. 5 | £23. 4. 5 |
Report for the Session 1889-90
In presenting the Eleventh Annual Report of the Doncaster Microscopical & General Scientific Society your committee have reason for congratulation upon all points but one & that one is probably the most important.
The Financial position has improved; the membership is fairly good but the attendance at the Ordinary Meetings is extremely unsatisfactory and very disheartening to those who for years have devoted much time & attention to the interests of the Society.
Excluding the exhibition meeting, which partook of the nature of a conversazione, the average attendance at the ordinary meetings has been 10 as compared with 18 of the previous year. Seven Papers were read during the Session. Their titles & authors being as follows: –
Protective Mimicry, as exhibited in British Lepidoptera by H.H. Corbett, M.R.C.S.
A Piece of Clay by T.J. Hasselby
Local Museums by J.M. Kirk
Improvements in Photo-Micrography by M.H. Stiles
British Mustelidae by G. Chouder
Photographic Tour of North Wales by G.B. Bisat
Ants by W. Roberts
A pleasing break in the ordinary routine of the society’s work occurred at the latter end of January in the form of an Exhibition Meeting held I Brown’s Rooms. In addition to a good display of Microscopes, there was an excellent collection of Photographs, chiefly the work of members of the society & their friends & also a number of other objects of scientific interest. Refreshments by the President & the entertainment appeared to afford considerable gratification to a company numbering nearly one hundred & consisting of the friends & relatives of the members.
It is proposed to publish before the end of the year, if possible, the proceedings of the Society from the date of the last issue to the present time. This will contain as a frontispiece, a copy of a portrait of the late Canon Brock, our first President, and will, it is thought, serve as a fitting memorial of his long & pleasant connection with this Society in its early days.
From the statement of accounts given above, it will be seen that the income of the society for the past year has been £8. 10. 6. & the payments £5. 16. 8. Leaving a balance to the good of £2. 13. 10. Thus increasing the available funds of the society from £14. 13. 11, to £17. 7. 9.
Nov 12, 1890
Exhibition Meeting
This, the First meeting of the Session, was held in the County Court Room, Guildhall.
Mr. J.G. Walker, President, in the chair.
Twenty five members and friends were present
The minutes of the previous meeting having been read & confirmed, the following gentlemen were elected members of the society: –
The Rev. G.P. Haydon, Mr. H. Culpin, & Mr. W.D. Watson.
The Meeting then resolved itself into a Conversazione & a pleasant hour was spent in examining a variety of Exhibits provided by Messrs. Bisat, Corbett, Kirk, Roberts, Stiles, Winter, & others consisting of objects shown under the microscope, Photographs & other interesting contributions.
Signed J. Greenhalgh Walker, President.
Nov 26, 1890
The Second Ordinary Meeting of the Session was held in the Indictment Room, Guildhall.
Mr. J.G. Walker (President) in the chair.
Eight members were present.
Messrs. T.L. Atkinson, E.G. Bayford, & Godfrey Crawshaw were duly elected members of the society.
[A newspaper cutting was pasted into the minute book at this point]
Mr. H.H. Corbett, M.R.C.S. read a paper on “The First Principles of Entomology.” In giving a short historical sketch of the science, the lecturer alluded to the interest taken in it by Aristotle, Pliny. Virgil, and stated that little further was done until the time of Linnaeus, in the 17th century. The system of classification adopted bt this great naturalist has undergone considerable alteration. Several of his orders of insects included what are now placed amongst animals, such as spiders, scorpions, woodlice, centipedes, crabs, etc.
The lecturer then gave a definition of an insect and a careful general description of its anatomy, noting the number of rings or segments of which the body is composed, and enumerating the appendages of each portion. One forms the head, three the thorax, to which are attached the legs and wings when they are present, and the remaining nine form the abdomen.
The internal anatomy of an insect consists of a blood circulatory system, a respiratory system – the air passing through apertures (spiracles) at the sides of the abdomen into tubes (trachea), which ramify through the whole of the body; a digestive system, consisting of alimentary canal, liver, etc.; a nervous system, made up of a double chain of ganglia and fibres, comparable to the sympathetic system in vertebrates. It is doubtful whether insects feel pain. And, indeed, it may be said that a wasp, divided by a pair of scissors is, perhaps, happier than any whole wasp, because it can eat for ever and never get full.
An insect may be briefly described as an animal with its body divided into three portions, head, thorax, and abdomen, and having six legs and generally two or four wings. Insects like all other animals begin life as eggs, which when hatched become larvæ or grubs. The larvæ become pupae and the pupæ develop into the perfect insect or imago. The three stages may be very similar one to another, the change being a very gradual one, or they may differ widely, and the change be sudden. In the former case the metamorphosis is said to be incomplete, in the latter complete.
The essential difference between the three consists in the power of reproduction being limited to the perfect insect. Probably the earliest form of insect was an aquatic species, allied to the crustaceaus and the myriapods, the nearest approach to such a type being found in Lepisma (sugarlouse) or in some of the orthoptera. A classification of insects upon a supposed archaic system, is impracticable, and failing this the alternative is taken of classification by type. In explanation of the meaning of the latter a group of moths was exhibited, showing the connections one with another. A type of the Group Noctuinæ being placed in the centre and radiating from it other groups. The lecturer then gave a short description of a type of each of the principal order of insects and also alluded to the alternation of generations in aphids.
A discussion of much interest followed, and the meeting closed with a cordial vote of thanks to the lecturer.
Signed J. Greenhalgh Walker, President.
Dec 17, 1890
The Third Ordinary Meeting of the Session was held in the County Court Room, Guildhall.
Mr. J.G. Walker (President) in the chair.
Twenty Five members were present.
[A newspaper cutting was pasted into the minute book at this point]
Mr. W.D. Watson read a paper on “The Rise and Development of Gothic Architecture in Britain.”
After remarking that he should base his observations on churches, as being the structures most suitable to the purpose, because in them we could most reasonably expect to find the best works of the age which saw their erection, and those least likely to be materially altered in the portions which remained, he took up the subject at the time of the Roman occupation, explaining that the basilicas were used alike for religious, legal, and business purposes. They were rectangular shaped buildings, divided down the length by two rows of pillars, forming a nave and aisles. At one end usually there was a semi-circular recess or tribune, this was the origin of the later apse, where the alter was placed or the judges sat. A diagram plan of the one at Canterbury was exhibited, in order to illustrate these points. Though the Saxons, when they took possession of the country, almost completely destroyed the greater number of Roman buildings, some few still remained in various parts, chiefly of England. Few of the Roman buildings in England were much ornamented. Being an out-of-the-way portion of the empire, it was to number of them merely a temporary sojourning place, which they quitted as their individual interest dictated. On the conversion of the Saxons to Christianity, about A.D. 597, many of the basilicas which remained were put into repair and adapted to their use as churches, that at Canterbury being one of the numbers. Soon, after this the see of Rochester was founded, and London re-founded. It is believed that timber was the chief building material until the close of the tenth century. The number of abbeys, etc., which were founded by Saints Dunstan, Oswald, and Athelwold support this view, and Canute, when he granted his charter to Glastonbury Abbey, which was the oldest, as well as one of the richest abbeys, dated it from the wooden church there. They were, however, ornamented on the inside with plates of gold and silver, with lead on the outside as a weathering. Though the greater number of churches built prior to the eleventh century were of timber, some were stone, those at Monkwearmouth and Jarrow – built in A.D. 680 – being the earliest of which there is any mention, nut only fragments of the present structure are of this date. Early in the eight century the interesting little church at Bradford-on-Avon was built. It is remarkable because of the way in which the walls are ornamented, that is by sinking some portions to form panels and arches. None of the numerous works on which King Alfred, towards the close of the ninth century, spent one-sixth of his income, can be identified. In the following century most of the small churches were built of timber, but the larger, as Ely, Peterborough, Winchester, etc., were of stone. The approaching millennium, however, which was expected to be the end of the world, caused considerable apathy to prevail in building, but after the year went One Thousand had passed building became general, and rapid strides were made. The Saxons style is remarkable as illustrating how the previous long use of timber influenced their design in stone. The walls have an appearance of being framed in timber with panels and turned stone. At the angles a very common feature was to use long stones, placed alternately flat and on end. This is called long and short work. After the Norman Conquest there was no immediate change in style; but it developed in due course, and this is to be attributed to a general improvement in taste and skill, rather than to the accession of a better informed people. This essayist contrasted the contemporary work at Oxford and Lincoln, with that at Malling, Rochester, and London, as showing some parts of the country were in advance of others, and especially by the Malling example that we were before Normandy itself. He then described in detail an Anglo-Norman building, illustrating the plans of a cathedral and a typical parish church, explaining the different parts and features, with their varieties, by the aid of lantern views, remarking on the infrequency of the apsidal termination of the chancel in England, the massiveness of Early Norman work, the little altitude of their towers in proportion to their size, the repeated pattern nature of many of the mouldings, in contrast to the continuous hollows and rounds of varying section in later styles, which are dependent upon the play of light and shade for their effect, and the general plainness of their earlier buildings as a mass, but the elaboration of individual features. The essayist concluded by briefly pointing out some features of the Transition into the Early English Style, which he will take up in his next paper, concluding the subject at the commencement of the decline of the Gothic with the Perpendicular period. The paper was illustrated by a series of slides, exhibited by means of the oxy-hydrogen lantern. Many of these had been specially prepared for the occasion, while others were lent by Mr. Stiles.
Signed J. Greenhalgh Walker.
Jan 14, 1891
The Fourth Ordinary Meeting of the Session was held in the County Court Room, Guildhall.
Mr. J. G. Walker, President, in the chair.
Nine members & friends were present.
[A newspaper cutting was pasted into the minute book at this point]
Doncaster Microscopical and General Scientific Society.
At the last meeting of the above society, Mr. A. D. Watson gave the second and concluding portion of his paper on “The Rise and Development of Gothic Architecture in Britain”. In resuming the subject, he reviewed the leading features of the Saxon and Norman periods, as set forth and illustrated in the previous lecture.
Of the former type he showed two good examples – Earl’s Barton, Northamptonshire, and Sompting, Sussex – the first being one of the most elaborate and perfect specimens we possess, and the second plainer, but illustrating the usual method of roofing towers at that time.
Of Norman work good examples were shown in Durham Cathedral nave and choir, and a portion of Fountains Abbey gave a fair idea of a “middle” Norman exterior, while later and richer work was to be seen in the west fronts of Rochester and Lincoln Cathedrals. The pyramidal roof to one of the turrets on the former was pointed out as amongst the first indications of the afterwards lofty spire, which was not developed until the succeeding style was well advanced,
Transitional work from Norman to Early English was shown in several views of Arksey Church, Jervaux and Roche Abbeys, and Ely Cathedral, where features peculiar to both the Norman and succeeding styles are to be seen side by side, suites of moulding on the arches, which are frequently pointed, became frequent, in place of the small single round or the chevron type. The general effect became much lighter and bolder, the principle of verticality, which underlies all Gothic design, beginning to manifest itself.
Of early English work some magnificent examples were shown. Amongst others were St. Hugh’s and the Angel choirs at Lincoln, the former being the earliest and purest examples of this style known, while the latter is later and shows signs of transition into the Decorated style. The exterior of the nave was shown and described as a very good example of the work of this period, attention being drawn to the boldness of the buttresses for the support of the stone vaulted ceilings. The west front of Wells Cathedral is supposed by some to be a masterpiece of design, but others consider it over-wrought, leaving no ground for the eve to rest upon and so grasp the composition of the whole; while that of Salisbury, whatever may be said of its spire or other portions, is thought by most people to be a failure. In a view of York Minster attention was called to the graceful beauty of the south transept, built by Archbishop Walter Grey 1215-55, with its beautiful Rose window, supposed to be the finest in England. Riveaux Abbey furnished a very good example of a typical east end, with two tiers of three uniform lancet windows, the arcades on the north and south sides being very rich in Clustered shafts, moulded caps, bases, arches, corbels, and vaulting shafts.
The lecturer then described the difference between the two classes of spires, the broach and those which rise from behind parapets, and also the reason of the entasis or swelling in the middle frequently to be observed in such structures, the one at Arksey being an exaggerated example.
The Decorated style was not of long duration, and few works of any magnitude were executed during that period. The chief were perhaps, the naves of York and Exeter Cathedrals, The main characteristics of the style are in the tracery of its window, where the lines of the stonework take most beautiful and diversified forms, not in the general display of ornament throughout the edifice, for in this style the parts are few but of good proportions and in excellent taste, though the carving has been lost some of the freedom and naturalness of the preceding style. The vaulting has more ribs, and the towers and spires are frequently rich compositions – the former with large belfry windows, and the latter with numerous lucernes on the sides and crockets on the angles.
The interest of the lecture was greatly enhanced by the very effective display with the oxy-hydrogen lantern of a series of architectural views, lent for the occasion bt Dr. Fairbank and Mr. Stiles.
Signed J. Greenhalgh Walker.
Feby 4, 1891
The Fifth Ordinary Meeting of the current Session was held in the Indictment Room, Guildhall.
Mr. J. G. Walker (President) in the chair.
Nineteen members & friends were present.
The Rev. T.E. Lindsay, B.A., F.C.S., F.G.S. read a paper on “The Loves of the Atom”.
Under the somewhat fantastic title the lecturer gave a description of the nature & combination of atoms using the analogous terms of affection. After illustrating the extreme minuteness of the atom, be the division of a grain of gold into 4-900 million visible pieces, the properties of the atoms of different elements were described, e.g. size, weight, colour & chemical properties.
I – Roughly classifying the elements as electro-positive & – negative, those of each class were arranged in the order of displacement in solution & compounds formed between elements of the two classes were shown to be more stable than between those of the same group.
II – The methods of determining the relative weight & volumes of atoms were briefly described.
III – The atomicity, or the atom fixing power of elements was described taking as the standard monad unit & the varying atomicity of such elements as P & N was given.
IV – The laws of chemical combination were illustrated, viz.
- The law of definite proportions
- Multiple &
- Equivalent proportions.
Next the lecturer dealt with chemical affinity or combination proper showing
i. The combination of atoms of the same elements in varying proportions to form allotropic modifications at ozone, Phosphorous & carbon.
ii. The combination of atoms of different elements touching upon the conditions regulating such unions as e.g.
-
- Nearness of combining atoms as in solution.
- Presence of bodies assisting combination, yet not themselves entering into it, as catalysis & oxygen carriers.
iii. Assistance of heat, light & electricity
iv. Quantity of reagents in solution.
After touching upon the ascent state of elements the lecturer concluded by discussing the stability of compounds showing that it varied with the amount of energy evolved or “run down” in their formation & with a speculation as to the ultimate nature of this attraction.
After an interesting discussion on the subject matter of the lecture & the principles involved therein, a vote of thanks to Mr. Lindsay was proposed by Mr. Walker & seconded by Mr. Kirk.
Signed J. Greenhalgh Walker
Mar 2, 1891
The Sixth Ordinary Meeting of the Session was held in the Indictment Room, Guildhall.
Mr. J.G. Walker, President, in the chair.
Seventeen members & friends were present.
Mr. T.L. Atkinson read a paper on “Meteorites” of which the following is an abstract.
[At this point in the minute book, the handwriting changes from Stiles to Atkinson, who proceeds to copy his paper into the minute book]
Meteorites picked up in the earth are as a rule very irregular in shape and have the appearance of having been broken. They are usually curved with thin crust, black in colour, and generally dull, but sometimes bright and shining. This crust is never more than about one fiftieth of an inch in thickness. The interior appearance of the meteorite is of three kinds, one kind consisting entirely of iron with a certain amount of nickel, others of both metal and stone, while in others the stone is the main point, some of them being almost entirely stone. The junction between the crust and the interior is sharply defined.
The highest calculated speed of any meteorite was that of the Stannern 1 Meteorite which moved at the rate of 45 miles per second. The heat and friction to which the exterior surface of a meteorite is exposed in its rapid passage through the air melts off the outer portion of it, leaves only the thin crust before-described. The greater portion of the velocity of these falling stones is lost before they reach the earth, and one even arrived with so small a velocity that although it alighted upon ice it rebounded without cracking it.
The fall of meteorites is usually accompanied by the sounds of thunder or of loud explosions & they sometimes leave behind them a long train in the sky which may remain visible for some time. The noise accompanying the fall may be caused by actual explosions of the meteorite or by its rushing through the air at an enormous speed. The same appearances as have been observed when a fall of stones takes place have been seen when no stones can be ascertained to have fallen. The meteorite has in this case been burnt up before reaching the earth.
Shooting stars are many small meteorites which are in this way burnt up before they reach us, so that they probably only arrive at the earth surface in the form of dust. Dust which is considered to be meteoric has been found on the surface of the earth and in deep sea deposits, and Professor Lockyer 2 has recently come to the conclusion from spectroscopic observations of the aurora that the atmosphere contains meteoric dust, and that the aurora is a meteoric phenomenon. It has been calculated that about twenty million meteorites large enough to be visible to the naked eye, enter our atmosphere evert day, & that if we include telescopic shooting-stars the daily number would be something like four hundred million.
But on certain nights we see regular showers of falling stars, and when one of these showers is taking place all the stars comprising it appear to be coming from one point in the sky. These showers occur at regular intervals. For instance, the November shower which last occurred on 14th 1866, has been found to have occurred at intervals of about 33 years, records of many of these falls having been kept & extending back to the year 902. These meteors are in fact revolving round the sun in an orbit which is completed in about 33 ¼ years, and in orbiting which they are moving crosses the earth’s orbit at the point where the earth is on about the 14th It has been found that there is a comet which is travelling in exactly the same orbit as these November Meteors, and this cannot possibly by mere chance.
Other comets have also been found to be travelling in the tracks in the tracks of meteor swarms. A comet has been thought to be a large meteorite from which portions have been split off & have formed the swarm round to follow in the comets track. But the latest view is that a comet is simply a swarm of small meteorites & it is suggested that its light is caused by collisions between the meteorites comprising it and also between them and the meteorites scattered through with which external space is believed to be filled.
The comets of short period are found to be divided into families, the members of each family passing near some one of the great planets, and Mr. Proctor’s theory is that they are the result of volcanic eruptions which have happened in the planets in some early and very active stage of their existence. But the more general opinion is that comets have come originally from external space and have come within the influence of our sun & been drawn in & that those which compare the comet families have passed near to one or other of the planets have been, as it were, captured by them.
[Notes.]
1. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stannern_(meteorite)
2.en.wikisource.org/wiki/Popular_Science_Monthly/Volume_39/July_1891/The_Meteoritic_Hypothesis
[here the handwriting returns to Stiles]
A vote of thanks was proposed by the chairman & seconded by Dr. Mitchell Wilson.
Signed J. Greenhalgh Walker.
March 19, 1891
An Exhibition Meeting, of which the following report appeared in the Doncaster Chronicle was held at the Glyn Temperance Hotel on March 19, 1891.
The gathering, although not a large one, was thoroughly successful from every point of view & a very pleasant evening was spent in examining the various objects of interest provided by the members & their friends.
[At this point a newspaper cutting was pasted into the minute book]
Microscopical Society – A pleasant and profitable evening was spent at the Glyn Hotel on Thursday, under the auspices of this useful and excellent society. Invitations were issued by the president (Mr. J.G. Walker) and offices and committee to an exhibition of microscopes and other scientific objects, and a select company consisting of members and their friends assembled at 8 o’clock, although ewe regret to say that the president, owing to a family bereavement, was prevented from attending.
The exhibits, which were mainly contributed by the members of the society, were displayed in the comfortable dining room of the hotel, and consisted of microscopes, lantern views, scientific objects, pictures, etc., Microscopes were lent by the Rev. E. H. Bennett, Mr. J.M. Kirk, Mr. W. Roberts, Mr. H.M. Stiles, Dr.. Corbett, Mr. B.S. Brundell, Mr. W.T. Jackson, Mr. G.A. Lewis, Mr. T.J. Hasselby, Mr. G.B. Bisat, Mr. G. Walker, and Mr. Lund.
A number of excellent photographs were shown bt Mr. Roberts, Mr. Bisat, Mr. Stiles, Mr. Winter, and Mr. W.D. Watson. During the evening Mr. Stiles gave a lantern exhibition of architectural views, photos of cathedrals, local scenes and a series of slides showing the construction and design of the Forth Bridge.
One of the most interesting objects on view was a zoetrope, illustrating the different phases of motion. A series of pictures taken by photography in a fraction of a second were exhibited, and as these successive pictures were shown in the apparatus, they presented a much more natural appearance than any drawing produced by hand. The zoetrope was lent by the Schwarz Company – the invention being a German one. The various photographs exhibited in the room were inspected with interest, especially as many of them were the work of members present, and a number of curious objects, both natural and mineral, were revealed by the aid of the microscope.
Light refreshments were handed round about nine o’clock, and during the proceedings Mr. Alfred Taylor favoured the company with a couple of selections on the piano – the gathering being a success from every point of view, Mr. Young, the manager, contributing to the pleasure of the company by the satisfactory way in which the arrangements were carried out,
Signed J. Greenhalgh Walker.
April 8, 1891
The eight Ordinary Meeting of the current Session was held in the Indictment Room, Guildhall.
J. Mitchell Wilson (Vice-President) in the chair.
Fourteen members & friends were present.
Mr. J.G. Walker gave a paper, with practical demonstrations, on the Art of Moulding & Casting in Metal.
[No report is reported in the minute book]
Oct 14, 1891
Committee Meeting held in Mr. J.G. Waler’s Office.
Present – J.G. Walker (chairman), H.H. Corbett, G.B. Bisat, J.M. Kirk, W.E. Atkinson, W. Roberts, & the Hon Sec. M.H. Stiles.
A statement of accounts was submitted by the Secretary in anticipation of the General Meeting which was arranged to be held on Oct. 28th.
The Chairman notified that he had that morning received a communication from Canon Tebbit respecting a new Scheme of University Extension in connection with the Yorkshire College. After particulars of the same had been submitted to the meeting & discussed the following decision was arrived at: – The meeting having learnt that Canon Tebbutt had received a communication from the Principal of the Yorkshire College in which it was stated that the County Council would be prepared to make a grant in aid of a course of Lectures connected with the University Extension Scheme of the Victoria University – it is resolved, on the motion of Mr. J.G. Walker, seconded by Mr. M.H. Stiles, that the committee of this society ask the representative of the Yorkshire College to meet them to discuss the question.
Signed J.G. Walker
Oct 20, 1891
An adjourned meeting of the committee was held at the Vicarage to confer with Mr. Sells, the organizing secretary of the Yorkshire College University Extension Scheme.
Present – Mr. J.G. Walker, the Rev. W.R. Weston, Rev. Canon Tebbutt, [Vicar of Doncaster] Rev. T.E. Lindsay, Mr. H.H. Corbett, Dr. J.M. Wilson, Mr. Turner, & Mr. M.H. Stiles, Hon. Sec.
As a result of the discussion it was resolved, on the motion of the Rev. W. R. Weston, seconded by Mr. Corbett, that this society adopt the University Extension Scheme in connection with the Victoria University & that a course of eight lectures be taken after Christmas on Tuesday evenings starting about the middle of January with a Science subject. The following subjects were suggested, Magnetism, & Electricity: Fire, Air, Earth & Water.
Signed J., Greenhalgh Walker.
Oct 28, 1891
General Meeting
Mr. J.G. Walker in the chair.
Eight members were present.
The Hon. Sec. read the Annual Record & Balance Sheet which were adopted on the motion of Mr. J.M. Kirk, seconded by Mr. W.E. Atkinson, the latter gentleman having previously audited the accounts.
The Rev. Canon Tebbutt was elected a member of the society.
[A newspaper cutting was pasted into the minute book at this point]
Committee Meeting held in Mr. J.G. Waler’s Office.
Present – J.G. Walker (chairman), H.H. Corbett, G.B. Bisat, J.M. Kirk, W.E. Atkinson, W. Roberts, & the Hon Sec. M.H. Stiles.
A statement of accounts was submitted by the Secretary in anticipation of the General Meeting which was arranged to be held on Oct. 28th.
The Chairman notified that he had that morning received a communication from Canon Tebbit respecting a new Scheme of University Extension in connection with the Yorkshire College. After particulars of the same had been submitted to the meeting & discussed the following decision was arrived at: – The meeting having learnt that Canon Tebbutt had received a communication from the Principal of the Yorkshire College in which it was stated that the County Council would be prepared to make a grant in aid of a course of Lectures connected with the University Extension Scheme of the Victoria University – it is resolved, on the motion of Mr. J.G. Walker, seconded by Mr. M.H. Stiles, that the committee of this society ask the representative of the Yorkshire College to meet them to discuss the question.
Signed J.G. Walker
Oct 20, 1891
An adjourned meeting of the committee was held at the Vicarage to confer with Mr. Sells, the organizing secretary of the Yorkshire College University Extension Scheme.
Present – Mr. J.G. Walker, the Rev. W.R. Weston, Rev. Canon Tebbutt, [Vicar of Doncaster] Rev. T.E. Lindsay, Mr. H.H. Corbett, Dr. J.M. Wilson, Mr. Turner, & Mr. M.H. Stiles, Hon. Sec.
As a result of the discussion it was resolved, on the motion of the Rev. W. R. Weston, seconded by Mr. Corbett, that this society adopt the University Extension Scheme in connection with the Victoria University & that a course of eight lectures be taken after Christmas on Tuesday evenings starting about the middle of January with a Science subject. The following subjects were suggested, Magnetism, & Electricity: Fire, Air, Earth & Water.
Signed J., Greenhalgh Walker.
Oct 28, 1891
General Meeting
Mr. J.G. Walker in the chair.
Eight members were present.
The Hon. Sec. read the Annual Report & Balance Sheet which were adopted on the motion of Mr. J.M. Kirk, seconded by Mr. W.E. Atkinson, the latter gentleman having previously audited the accounts.
The Rev. Canon Tebbutt was elected a member of the society.
The following resolutions were unanimously adopted, proposed by Dr. Wilson, & seconded by Mr. Roberts, that in connection with the University Extension movement, the course by Mr. Sells be applied for on Electricity & magnetism to be given on Tuesday evening & to begin on Jan 27th, 1891.
Proposed by Dr. Wilson & seconded by Mr. Roberts, that a hearty vote of thanks be accorded to Mr. Walker, retiring President, for his services during the year.
Proposed by Mr. T.L. Atkinson & seconded by Mr. Walker, that a cordial vote of thanks be also accorded to Mr. Stiles, the Hon. Sec. for his continued work in connection with the society.
Signed T. Lovell Atkinson.
[A newspaper cutting was pasted into the minute book at this point]
“Doncaster Microscopical and General Scientific Society. – The annual meeting of this society was held on Wednesday evening, Mr. J.G. Walker (president) in the chair. The report of the work done during the past year and the statement of accounts were received and confirmed. The income for the session just concluded was £10 7s 2d, and the disbursements £16 8s 9d. The society has now a balance in hand of £11 6s 2d. The increased expenses were caused by the issue of a report extending over the previous four years. A copy of this – which is a very creditable production, and which contains a portrait of the late Canon Brock, the first president of this society, as a frontispiece – has been sent to each member. The following were elected offices for the present session.
President – Mr. T. Lovel Atkinson, M.A., LL.B.
Vice-Presidents – Mr. J. Mitchell Wilson, M.D., F.C.S., Mr. W.E. Atkinson, Mr. Geo. Winter, Mr. J.G. Walker, C.E.
Committee – Messrs. J.M. Kirk, F.R.M.S., H.H. Corbett, M.R.C.S., Walter Roberts, T. J. Hasselby, J. Shotton, Rev. Canon Tebbutt, M.A.
Hon Secretary & Treasurer – Mr. M.H. Stiles.
It was stated at the meeting that arrangements are being made by the society with the Yorkshire College, to deliver a course of University Extension Lectures in Doncaster after Christmas. Applications will be made to the County Council for a grant in aid of this. In compliance with the Technical Education Act, a science course has been selected, the subject being electricity and magnetism. The lectures, eight in number, will be well illustrated by experiments, and should prove highly popular.”
Report for the Session 1890-91
To the members
Your committee has much pleasure in presenting the Twelfth Annual Report of the Doncaster Microscopical & General Scientific Society.
During the past year 6 new members have been elected & 8 have withdrawn fron the society, reducing the number on the list to 38.
The Papers or Lectures given have been as follows: –
“The First Principles of Entomology” by H.H. Corbett, M.R.C.S.
“The Rise & Development of Gothic Architecture in Britain” in two Papers, illustrated by the Oxy-Hydrogen Lantern, by W.D. Watson.
“The Loves of the Atom” a chapter of chemical affinity, by the Rev. T.L. Lindsay, B.A., etc.
“Meteorites” by T.L. Atkinson, M.A. LL.B.
“The Art of Moulding & Casting in Metal”, with practical demonstrations, by J.G. Walker, C.E. (President)
In addition to these, two Exhibition Meetings were held, one early in November & the other in March. The latter took place at the Glyn Hotel & was on a larger scale than usual, resembling a Conversazione. At this the members & their friends enjoyed the hospitality of the President, and a most pleasant evening was spent by those present.
At the Ordinary meetings, the average attendance was 15 which is a distinct improvement on that of the previous year.
The Society has this year issued a report embodying the Transactions of the Eighth, Ninth, Tenth & Eleventh Sessions (from 1887 to 1890) with a portrait of Canon Brock – its first President – as a frontispiece. A copy of this has been forwarded to each member & will, it is hoped, serve as a interesting record of the society’s work.
Notwithstanding the heavy drain upon its income incurred by the expense of publishing this report, the financial position of the society is thoroughly sound. The balance in the hand of the treasurer as will be seen from the appended statement is £11. 6s. 2d.
Your committee cannot close this report without intimating that arrangements are being made with the Yorkshire College to deliver a course of University Extension Lectures in this Town after Xmas. There will be a grant from the County Council in aid of this & it is hoped that the members generally will assist to make the course thoroughly well known & to permanently establish the Scheme in Doncaster. In compliance with the Technical Education Act, the course selected will be on some branch of science.
Statement of Accounts 1890-91
|
Receipts |
£. s. d. |
| Cash in hand – Oct 15, 1890 |
17 7 9 |
| 2 Subscriptions for 1888-9 |
10 0 |
| 9 subscriptions for 1889-90 |
2 5 0 |
| 28 subscriptions for 189-91 |
7 0 0 |
| 1 subscription for 1891-92 |
5 0 |
| Interest from bank |
5 8 |
| Money returned for photograph |
1 6 |
|
£27 14 11 |
|
|
Payments |
£. s. d. |
| Printing Report for 1887-90 |
9 6 0 |
| Printing notices & programmes |
2 3 0 |
| Hire of Rooms for meetings |
1 10 0 |
| Hire of Lantern for 2 meetings |
1 1 0 |
| Y.N.U. levy |
3 6 |
| Correspondence, postage, etc. |
1 0 10 |
| Books |
17 11 |
| Objects for Microscope |
6 6 |
| Balance in hand |
11 14 11 |
|
£27 14 11 |
Nov 26, 1891
The Second Meeting of the session was held in the indictment Room, Guildhall.
Mr. T Lovel Atkinson (President) in the chair.
Seven members were present.
Dr. A. Christy Wilson & Mr. Chas. Parkin were elected members of the society.
Mr. H.H. Corbett read a paper on “The Natural History & Habits of some of our smaller Moths”.
The Essayist mentioned in his introductory remarks how little known to general students are the small moths, those distinguished by Entomologists as Micro Lepidoptera. He then described the Life-history & in many cases exhibited specimens of some typical species of the group of moths called Tineinae. The habit of the larvae were mentioned – some live in mines between the upper & lower epidermis of leaves – examples were shown from the genera Lithocolletes & Asyclinae. Others are protected by a case like the shell of a snail, genus Coleopturae etc. Others spin webs inhabited by large colonies of Larvae, genus Hypomentae Etc., Others feed exposed on the outside of leaves, e.g. the Diamond-back moth, Plutella cruciferum.
Some live on Wool, Horsehair Etc., e.g. Tinea Tapetzella & many cause great destruction to furniture.
Others roll up part of a leaf & live in the enclosed portion e.g. Gracilaria swederalla.
The perfect insect of many of the species mentioned were exhibited under the microscope, some of them being beautifully coloured & adorned with metallic looking bands & spots. Others had their wings & antennae fringed in a lovely manner & thus formed very attractive objects for the lower powers of the binocular microscope, eliciting warm expressions pf admiration from the beholders.
A vote of thanks to Mr. Corbett for his interesting & instructive paper terminated the meeting.
Nov 30, 1891
A meeting of the committee was held in Mr. J.G. Walker’s office, Priory Place.
Present – Mr. T.L. Atkinson (President), Dr. J.M. Wilson, Messrs. J.G. Walker, J. Shotten, H.H. Corbett & Mr. M.H. Stiles (hon. Sec.)
Adopted – That application be made to the County Council for a grant in aid of the University Extension Scheme & also for a Capitation Fee – proposed by Dr, Wilson, seconded by Mr. J.G. Walker.
– That a deputation consisting of the President, Councilor Corbett, & the Hon. Sec. wait upon the Corporation asking for the free use of the Old Free Library for the University Extension Lectures – proposed by Mr. T.L. Atkinson, seconded by Mr. Skelton.
– It was also resolved that the next two meetings be held on Thursday instead of Wednesday evening.
Signed T. Lovell Atkinson
Dec 17, 1891.
The Third meeting of the session was held in the robing Room, Guildhall.
Mr. T. Lovel Atkinson (President) in the chair.
Ten members were present.
Mr. Chas. Barrass was elected a member of the society.
Mr. M.H. Stiles read a paper entitled “Notes on Lantern & Lantern Slides” in the course of which he gave a general description of the optical Lantern in its modern development, noticing in succession the Oil Lantern & the two Lime-light Lanterns, including the Blow-through or Safety Jet & the Mixed Jet. The peculiarities of each were pointed out & the way of arranging & adjusting them so as to produce the best effect was experimentally shown. The optical construction of the Condenser & objective was also explained & the two varieties of the latter in general use were referred to. The lecturer explained that the double-combination objective on the plan of a portrait Lens was rapidly superseding the older or single combination form the advantages being especially evident where architectural slides were shown. The lecturer then described the process of slide making both by contact & reduction & afterwards exhibited with his Oxy-Hydrogen Lamp a number of slides of his own production & also some of the best professional work.
A vote of thanks to Mr. Stiles was proposed by the President & seconded by Mr. Geo. Bisat.
Jan 6, 1892
A meeting of the committee was held in Mr. J.G. Walker’s Office at which the following were present – Mr. T.L. Atkinson (President), Dr. Mitchell Wilson, & Messrs. Shotten, Roberts, Walker & Stiles.
The secretary reported that Mr. T.J. Hasselby, a member of the committee, had resigned & to fill the vacancy thus caused the Rev. W.R. Weston was elected on the motion of Mr. Walker, seconded by Mr. Atkinson.
The Secretary also read a letter received from Mr. Sells, giving an outline of his course of lectures & stating that he had not Syllabuses ready printed, but that he could furnish a copy if the society wished to print it. The secretary was requested to write to Mr. Sells about this matter.
The following resolutions were then agreed to: –
That the Admission Tickets for each lecture be 6d. for front seats & 3d. for second seats & that Tickets for the course of eight lectures be 3/- & 1/6 respectively; Scholars to be charged half price for front seats, tickets for the course. That 100 front seat & 50 Second seat tickets be printed.
That a front seat course ticket be sent to each member who has paid his subscription for the current session.
Signed T. Lovel Atkinson.
Jan 13, 1892
Committee Meeting at Mr. J.G. Walker’s Office.
Present – Mr. T.L. Atkinson (president), Dr. Mitchell Wilson, Mr. J.G. Walker & Mr. Stiles (Hon. Sec.)
It was resolved that the forthcoming course of University Extension Lectures begin at 7,30 as suggested by the lecturer.
The Hon. Sec. read the correspondence with the County Council on the subject of the U.E. lectures & it was resolved that this committee approve the action taken by him.
Signed T. Lovel Atkinson
Feb 1, 1891
Committee Meeting at Mr. J.G. Walker Office.
Present – Mr. T.L. Atkinson (President), Messrs. Walker, Shotten, & Stiles (hon. Sec.)
Mr. Prosser, 19 Kings Road, was elected (provisionally) a member of the society, such election to be confirmed at the first Ordinary Meeting.
It was suggested that a Chairman be appointed for the first University Extension Lecture & on the motion of Mr. J.G. Walker, seconded by Mr. Shotten, it was resolved that the president take the chair for the occasion.
Signed T. Lovel Atkinson.
March 16, 1892
Committee Meeting in Mr. Walker’s Office.
Present – Mr. T.L. Atkinson (President), Messrs. W.E. Atkinson, J.G. Walker, H,H, Corbett, Mr. M.H. Stiles (hon. Sec.) & the Rev. Canon Tebbutt.
It was proposed by Mr. Walker & seconded by the President, that the next Lecture on Electric Lighting be given in the Guildhall with the ordinary charge for admission.
Signed T. Lovell Atkinson
Tuesday April 12, 1892
An examination of the students who had attended the course of Eight Lectures on Electricity & Magnetism was held in the Old Free Library.
Sixteen persons entered, the following eight passed, the first four being placed in the first class: – Anderson T.L., Haynes F.G., Pearson R.J.A., True Robert; Cronch J.P., Dixon W.L., Jackson W.H., Wilson A.G.
Copy of Return sent to Victoria University.
Course Tickets sold – 176
Average attendance at Lecture – 207.5
Average attendance at class – 88.5
Total Receipts – £26. 5s 5d.
Total Expenses – £28. 7s 10d.
County Council Grant – £15. 0. 0.
Signed T Lovel Atkinson
May 13, 1892
A committee meeting was held in Mr. Atkinson’s Office.
Present – Mr. T.L. Atkinson, Mr. W.E. Atkinson & Mr. M.H. Stiles.
The minutes of the previous committee meeting were read & confirmed.
A circular having been received from the Victoria University respecting the choice of a course of lectures for next session & asking for an immediate reply: –
It was proposed by the President & seconded by the Secretary that application be made for the following lecturers and subjects.
Dr. Stroud – Colour
Dr. Stroud – Sound
Dr. Cohen – Coal & its Products
Dr, Cohen – Chemistry & Metals
As the result of a personal visit on the subject from Mr. Sells, this application was afterwards slightly modified with the concurrence of the proposer & seconder. Viz.
Dr. Stroud on Colour & Dr. Cohen on Chemistry of Coal Gas or The Chemistry of Coal Tar.
A statement of the Lecture Accounts was presented & it was suggested that Mr. Easterfield be asked to audit it previous to it being sent to the County Council.
Signed T. Lovel Atkinson.
Sep 30, 1892
A committee meeting was held in Mr. Atkinson’s Office, Prior Place.
Present – Mr. T.L. Atkinson, Mr. J.G. Walker, Mr. J.M. Kirk, & Mr., M.H. Stiles, Hon. Sec.
The minutes of the previous meeting were read & confirmed.
The Hon. Sec. read the correspondence he had had with Mr. Sells, respecting a Course of University Extension Lectures for the Lent Term, 1893. It was resolved that Mr. Sells be asked not to make definite arrangements until after the Society’s General meeting, such meeting to be held on Wednesday Oct 5, 1892.
Signed Herbert H. Corbett, President.
Oct 5, 1892
Annual General Meeting
Mr. T. Lovel Atkinson (President) in the chair.
Eight members were present.
The Secretary reported that the Committee had been in correspondence with the Yorkshire College, Leeds respecting a Course of Lectures to be given after Xmas in connection with the University Extension Scheme. They had made choice of a subject which was now under the consideration of the College authorities; but as the decision of the latter had been delayed until the time for our Annual Meeting approached it was thought advisable before making a final decision that the matter should be brought before the general meeting of the society. This was done & the following resolution proposed by Dr. M. Wilson & seconded by Mr. Corbett was the result: – That Mr. V.P. Sells be asked to give a Course of Eight Lectures on “Heat as a form of Energy”. It was also proposed by Mr. Corbett & seconded by Mr. Prosser that, as an alternative Dr, Cohen be invited to deliver a course on the Chemistry of Coal.
The question of the reduction of the annual subscription to the society was then discussed & eventually the following resolution was proposed by Dr. Mitchell Wilson & seconded by Mr. Corbett: – that in future the annual subscription to this society be two shillings & six pence. In accordance with this, Rule 4 will now read as follows.
“The Society shall consist of members subscribing 2/-6d annually payable in October, any person whose subscription is not paid by December 31st, after two applications have been made by the secretary, shall cease to belong to the society.”
It was also resolved that a letter be sent to the Free Library Committee asking for the use of the Reference Room for the Society’s meetings.
The meeting closed with a vote of thanks to the retiring officers & to the Chairman.
Signed Herbert H. Corbett.
Copy of letter sent to the Chairman of the Free Library Committee, Oct 12, 1892
Dear Sirs,
We are desired by our committee to ask you to grant us the use of the Room devoted to the Reference department of the Free Library for the the occasional meetings of the Doncaster Microscopical & General Scientific Society. The number of meetings to be held this session will be five and they will not extend beyond Xmas; they open at 8.00 p.m. & last about an hour & a half. If you can arrange to grant us the privilege we should be glad to deposit in the reference Department a number of Books treating of Microscopy & kindred subjects for the use of the general public as well as our own members. We sincerely hope that you will give this application your favourable consideration & remain, dear Sir,
Your obedient servant.
H.H. Corbett, President
T Lovel Atkinson, Ex-President
Mr. Stiles, Hon. Secretary
Copy of Answer to the above letter.
Borough Free Library, Doncaster
Oct 13, 1892
To the President, Ex-President & Hon Secretary of the Doncaster Microscopical etc. Society
Gentlemen,
At a meeting of the Free Library Committee held last night , permission was given to your society to use the Reference Room for your occasional meetings for this season.
The Books belonging to your Society to be deposited in the Reference Department for consultation by the Public in that room. All arrangements to be made to the Libraries satisfaction.
I am, gentlemen
Yours obediently
J.M. Kirk
Secretary & Librarian
Report for the Session 1891-92
To the members of the Doncaster Microscopical & General Scientific Society: – Your Committee is pleased to be able to present its Thirteenth Annual Report & to congratulate the members generally upon the increased usefulness of the work undertaken by the society.
During the early part of last session, it was suggested this society should adopt a scheme of University Extension Lectures in connection with the Yorkshire College, Leeds.
Such scheme, within certain limitations, being aided by a grant from the County Council, as work of this kind was thought to be within the legitimate scope of the Society the proposal at once received the favourable consideration of your Committee & arrangements were accordingly made for the delivery of a course of 8 Lectures on Magnetism & Electricity by Mr. V. P. Sells, M.A., F,.C.S.
The course began on Feby 2nd 1892 & was (with one exception) continued weekly until the end. An examination was afterwards held on Apr 2 for which 16 students entered.
The following eight passed – T.L. Anderson, F.G. Haynes, R.J.A. Pearson, Robert True; J.P. Crouch, W.L. Dixon, W.H. Jackson, A.G. Wilson.
The four at the head of the list were placed in the first class.
The following details are copied from the return sent to the Victoria University & will be of Interest.
Course Tickets sold – 176
Average Attendance at Lectures – 207.5
Average attendance at Class – 88.5
Total Receipts (excluding grant) – £26 5s 5d
Total expenses – £28 7s 10d.
Grant from County Council – £15 0s 0d.
There is thus a balance of nearly £13. 0s 0d. Which with the consent of the Count Council is set aside as a reserve fund in case a deficiency may arise through any future course being less successful than the very excellent one of which particulars are now given.
The County Council has expressed a hope that the society may continue the work & your committee is now making arrangements for another course in the early part of next year.
The special work of the society was somewhat overshadowed by that in connection with the University Extension Lectures & as a consequence no ordinary meetings were held after Xmas.
The Papers or Lectures given before Xmas were as follows.
“The Natural History & Habit’s of Some of our Smaller Moths” by Mr. H.H. Corbett, M.R.C.S.
“Notes on Lantern & Lantern Slides” by Mr. M.H. Stiles
The average attendance at theses was nine, which is the smallest yet recorded. Six new members have joined during the year & six have retired leaving 38 on the list, the same number as last year.
From the appended statement of Accounts it will be seen that the financial position is good, the balance in the hand of the treasurer having increased from £11-6-2 to £18-11-2
|
Receipts |
£ s d |
| Balance in hand Oct 28, 1891 |
11 6 2 |
| One subscription for 1892-3 & 1893-4 |
5 0 |
| 29 Subscription for 1891-2 |
7 5 0 |
| 2 subscriptions for 1891-2 |
10 0 |
| One associate subscription for 1891-2 |
2 6 |
| Interest from bank |
8 6 |
|
£19 17 2 |
|
|
Payments |
|
| Rooms for meetings |
7 6 |
| Printing, Hartley & sons |
15 9 |
| Postage |
2 9 |
| Balance in hand |
19 1 |
| Balance in bank |
17 12 1 |
|
£19 17 2 |
October 19, 1892
The Second Meeting of the Session was held in the Reference Room, Free Library.
Mr. H.H. Corbett, President, in the chair
Thirteen Members & friends were present.
Mr. J. R. Thompson & Mr. P.W. Matthewman were unanimously elected members of the society.
The Secretary read a letter, written by him, to the Free Library, in accordance with a resolution passed at the General Meeting, asking the committee for the use of the Reference Room for the Society’s Meetings & he also read the reply of the Committee granting the application. In recognition of this , it was proposed by Mr. Atkinson, seconded by Dr. J.M. Wilson, that a communication be forwarded to the Free Library Committee thanking them for the use of the Reference Room for the purpose referred to.
Mr. Corbett then read a paper on ”The Snail, its Natural History & Allies”.
The Essayist briefly mentioned the three great divisions of the Mollusca, viz. Cephalopoda, Gasteropoda and Lamellibranchiata.
He then described the anatomy, Physiology & development of a gasteropod & afterwards pointed out the changes undergone by freshwater & land species in departing from the marine type.
In alluding to the formation of the shell, he drew attention to the sinistral & monstrosities of dextral species & showed how they led to the eventual production of sinistral species.
The great variety of colour bands in Helix& were illustrated by numerous examples, some of them of considerable beauty.
Mr. Corbett stated how a process of evolution the gradual obsolescence of shell in different species produced in its full development then shell-less slug.
The meeting closed with the exhibition, under the microscope, of examples of some of the species described.
Signed H.H. Corbett
[A paper cutting was pasted into the next page of the minute book, with a note on the side stating “This meeting was held in the Reference Room, Library.]
Nov 16, 1892
Doncaster Microscopical & General Scientific Society.
The fourth meeting of the session was held on November 16th, Mr. H, H. Corbett, M.R.V.S. (President) in the chair. Mr. J.M. Kirk read a paper on “Animals Extinct within Historic Times” of which the following is an abstract: –
“Fifty years ago, it was quite easy to decide what was a fossil animal and what was not. Those which perished before the flood were considered as fossil remains, while those after the flood were not regarded as fossils. The extinction, however, of a fauna or flora has no necessary coincidence with the changes of Geological formations and it is only sensational geology which accounts for the different strata as the result of a series of catastrophes.
The past succession of forms of animal life upon the earth has been as gradual as a series of dissolving views. Collisions with inimical species has often a fatal ending, this, the dodo was exterminated by the swine introduced into the Mauritius. Mr. Darwin has shown that the struggle is more severe between species of the same genus when they come into competition with each other, than between species of distant genera.
Many Pleistocene mammals are still existing, but whose range is much restricted, such as Reindeer, Musk Ox, Glutton, Auroch, Arctic Fox, Elk, Lemming, Lagomys, or tail-less hare. Examples of total extinction in late years, are the Dodo, Solitaire, Moa, in New Zealand, the Œpiornis in Madagascar, Great Auk, Rhytina Stelleri, etc. In regard to the Great Auk or Gare-fowl, so recently become extinct, it is a prevalent mistake to think that it lived at a very high latitude, as there is only one instance on record of its having been found within the Arctic Circle.
Different species of birds are being eliminated in all parts of the earth, just as their predecessors were during the various geological epochs. Among animals known to have inhabited great Britain, but which are now extinct as far as these islands are concerned, are the brown bear, beaver, reindeer, wild boar, and wolf. The bison of America has ceased to roam the prairies, the quagga of the Cape has gone, the African elephant is being ruthlessly destroyed, and how long can the giraffe last? An Englishman’s idea of sport is ‘Let us go and kill something.’
What is the horrible scene of butchery which goes on at Farmborough each year from the first of August? Can a rare bird show itself for many hours without our reading that it ‘was shot’ somewhere? A big-game sportsman going out to Africa seems to take delight in ding what he can to annihilate species.
No antidote is yet discovered for snake bite which kills so many thousand of human beings every year, and yet by some moral twist our medical and scientific men are not allowed to try and cope with the gigantic evil. If the inestimable boon of a care for this is to be found, we appear to wish that the discovery shall be due to Germany or some other country, but our own guinea-pigs or rabbits must in no way help in this matter.
The Government of New Zealand perceiving while there is yet time that some of their interesting birds and animals may be saved from destruction, have set apart two islands on the principle of Waterton’s Yorkshire Park where no living thing may be disturbed. The thanks of all naturalists are due to them”
The reading of the paper was followed by an interesting discussion, after which a vote of thanks to Mr. Kirk was proposed by Mr. Corbett, seconded by Dr. Mitchell Wilson.
Signed H.H. Corbett.
30 Nov 1892
[A newspaper cutting was pasted into the minute book on the next page. A note scribed at the side of the page stated “The meeting was held in the Reference Room, Library]
Doncaster Microscopical & General Scientific Society.
The fifth meeting of the society was held on Nov 30, Mr. H.H. Corbett, M.R.C.S., (president) was in the chair. Mr. M.H. Stiles read a paper entitled “Notes on Photographic Printing.” The subject was delt with mainly in relation to the comparatively recent introduction of Gelatino-Chloride paper, the advantage of which were pointed out, and its mode of working described at considerable length. This particular paper affords scope for great variety of treatment, and examples were shown illustrating the results obtained by various toning baths, in which both gold and platinum were the active agents. The different styles of finishing , resulting in the production of a highly glazed or enamel surface, a dull or matt surface, and also a medium surface similar to that of albumenized paper, were described, and the methods adopted in working were shown experimentally. The platinum toning process seemed to be in favour with the writer of the paper, and though rather more expensive than gold toning, it has the merit of great simplicity, and, it is believed, increased permanence. The prints thus produced, when finished with a dull surface, possess much artistic beauty, the better examples resembling fine etchings. Mr. Stiles also drew attention to his plan of producing satisfactory prints from under or incorrectly exposed negatives, where the contrasts are excessive. It consists in the employment of a print from the same negative as a mask, care being taken in the arrangement, and the mask, which is attached to a sheet of glass, being moved very slightly occasionally, so as to avoid any duplication of the image. The paper was illustrated by a large number of photographs, some of which were much admired, especially the platinum-toned prints of views in the Lake District.
A vote of thanks to Mr. Stiles was proposed by the president and seconded by Mr. J.G. Walker.
Signed H.H. Corbett
Dec14, 1892
The Sixth Meeting of the Session was held in the Reference Room, Free Library.
Mr. H.H. Corbett, President, in the chair
Twelve members & friends were present.
Dr. J.M. Wilson read a paper on “Michael Faraday” of which the following is an abstract.
[no such abstract has been copied into the minute book]
Jan 17, 1893.
A meeting of the Committee was held in the Reference Room, Free Library.
Present – Mr. H.H. Corbett (President) in the chair, Messrs. J.G. Walker, W.E. Atkinson, J.M. Kirk & Mr. M.H. Stile, (Hon. Sec.).
The arrangements for the coming course of eight University Extension Lectures by Mr. V.P. Sells were discussed & it was decided that the printing & advertising should be done as in thr former course. The President was requested to take the chair at the first lecture.
It was also resolved that members be supplied with Course Tickets at 2/- each & that Schools be supplied with Course Tickets at half price, such tickets admitting to any of the frony seats excepting the 3 first rows when the scholars are under the charge of a competent person.
Signed H.H. Corbett M.R.C.S. President.
April 13, 1893
[A newspaper cutting was pasted into the minute book at this point]
Microscopical Society.
Exhibition at the Glyn Hotel
On Thursday night last the members and friends of the above society assembled in one of Glyn Hotel rooms to witness a very interesting exhibition of microscopical wonders, Photographs, and a large collection of moths and butterflies. There were over forty present amongst the company being –
Mr. G. and Miss Liddle, Mr. T Lovel Atkinson, M.A., Mr. W.E. Atkinson, Mr. M.H. Stiles, Mr. J.M. Kirk, Councilor and Mrs. Corbett, Mer. and Mrs. J.G. Robinson, Mr. Richardson, Miss Allender, Mr. Willey, and Mr. Hasluck (Infirmary), Mr. and Mrs. George Winter, Mr. W. Roberts, Mr. and Mrs. Wyatt, Mr. George Bisat, Mrs. and Miss Katie Turner, Mrs. Jennings, Miss Anstruther, Mr. Johnson, Mr. J.R. Thompson (of the G.N.R. Electrical Department) and Miss Thompson, the Misses Weston (Balby), Mr. and Mrs. Culpin, Miss Fox, Mr. Alec. Wilson, Mr. P. Matthewman, Mr. C. Shotton, and Mr. C. Matthewman.
As before stated the exhibition was most interesting and its conception and arrangement reflected considerable credit upon the president (Mr. Corbett), the hon. Sec. (Mr. Stiles) and those associated with them. The collection of moths and butterflies was contributed by Mr. H.H. Corbett, and was not only an extensive one, but the specimens were in very perfect condition. It is worthy of remark that this gentleman recently discovered in this neighbourhood a species of moth (Lithoeolletis cerasecilella), new to Britain.
There was also an interesting collection of photographs contributed by Messrs. J.R. Thompson, M.H. Stiles, G. Bisat, and W. Roberts. The most noteworthy of the microscopical slides were the scales from the butterflies’ wings, arranged as a bouquet of flowers, section of an Echinus spine, a living specimen of the Volvox Globator, which were contributed by Mr. Stiles, also a Lophopus contributed by Mr. J.M. Kirk.
The following is a list of those who lent microscopes and slides:- B.S. Brundell, Esq. Mr. J.M. Kirk, Mr. M.H. Stiles, Dr. M. Wilson, Mr. W.T. Jackson, Mr. G.A. Lewis, Mr. G. Winter, Mr. Willey, Mr. Haigh (Hatfield), Mr. W, Roberts, and Mr. Bisat.
Oct 6, 1893.
Committee Meeting in the Reference Room, Free Library.
Present – Messrs. H.H. Corbet (President), J.M. Kirk, & M.H. Stiles (Hon. Sec.)
Resolved that the Annual General Meeting be held on Wednesday next Oct 11th.
The following recommendations to the general meeting were suggested:-
That a course of University Extension Lectures in connection with the Yorkshire College be arranged for after Xmas and that the Yorkshire Naturalists Union be invited to hold their Annual Meeting at Doncaster in November 1894.
Also that the Union be requested to arrange an excursion in the neighbourhood of Doncaster with Wheatly Wood & Sandall Beat & Sandall Brickyards as hunting grounds.
Signed John Bennett Prosser
Oct 11, 1893
Annual General Meeting
Mr. H.H. Corbett, M.R.C.S. (President) in the Chair.
Seven persons were present.
A vote of thanks to the Free Library Committee for their kindness in granting the use of the Reference Room for the Society’s meetings was proposed by Mr. Corbett & seconded by Mr. Stiles.
A vote of thanks to the Corporation for granting the use of the Old Free Library for the University Extension Lectures was proposed by Mr. J.G. Walker & seconded by Mr. Kirk.
The secretary was requested to give affect to these resolutions.
The question of the choice of the University Extension Lecturers for the early part of 1894 was then discussed & a course by Dr. Cohen on “The Chemistry of Common Things” was unanimously selected on the motion of Mr. Stiles, seconded by Mr. J.G. Walker.
Signed H.H. Corbett.
Report for the Session 1892-3
To the members of the Doncaster Microscopical & General Scientific society:- Your Committee has much pleasure in presenting its fourteenth annual report including a record of the work done during the past session. In continuation of the University Extension scheme so successfully inaugurated early in 1892; a course of lectures on ‘Heat as a Form of Energy’ was arranged for & was delivered in the early part of the year, Mr. Sells being again the lecturer. The course began on January31st and ended on March 21st. The terminal examination for which Eight Students entered was conducted on [blank], The following four passed:- W,R. Grundy, J.C. Lee, Hubert T. Storrs, & W.R. Lewis, the three first passed with distinction.
The following particulars are copied from the Return sent to the County Council.
Course tickets sold – 105
Average attendance at lectures – 91.5
Average attendance at class – 36.7
Total Receipts excluding grant – £12-6-9
Grant from County Council – £9-0-0
The balance in hand on this account is about £6-0-0 & will be set aside (with the consent of the County Council) as a reserve fund.
Your committee has decided to continue this useful work & is now making arrangements for a course to be delivered in the early part of next year.
In connection with the society’s own work, five lectures or papers were given as follows :-
“The Snail, its Natural History & Allies” by Mr. H.H. Corbett, M.R.C.S.
“Gravitation” by Mr. T.L. Atkinson, LL.B.
“Animals extinct within Historic Times” by Mr. J.M. Kirk, F.R.M.S.
“Notes on Photographic Printing” by Mr. M.H. Stiles
“The life of Michael Faraday” by Dr. J. Mitchell Wilson.
The average attendance at these was 12, an improvement upon the previous year. Mainly through the kindness & hospitality of the President, a very pleasant gathering of the members of the society and their friends took place at the Glyn Hotel at the close of the session. Over forty persons were present. The exhibition included a good display of microscopic objects shown under the microscopes of the members; a varied collection of Photographs, the work of some of the members, and a large collection of moths & butterflies, contributed by the President. Refreshments were served during the evening.
A statement of accounts is appended from which it will be seen that the financial position of the society is extremely sound.
| Receipts | |
| Balance in hand Oct 5, 1892 | 18 11 2 |
| 2 subscriptions for 1891-92 | 10 6 |
| 23 subscriptions for 1892-3 | 2 17 6 |
| 1 subscription for 1893-4 | 2 6 |
| Interest from bank | 8 6 |
| £22 9 8 | |
| Payment | |
| Printing | 1 7 6 |
| Y.N.U. levy & subscription | 9 0 |
| Micro objects | 3 0 |
| Postage & correspondence | 9 6 |
| Blind for Reference Room | 4 4 |
| Cash in hand | 1 15 9 |
| Cash in bank | 18 0 7 |
| £22 9 8 |
Examined & found correct
Signed J. Greenhalgh Walker
[a newspaper cutting was pasted into the minute book at this point]
Doncaster Microscopical and General Scientific Society
The annual general meeting of this society was held in the Free Library on Wednesday evening last, Mr. Councilor Corbett (president) in the chair. The report for the past year, including the statement of accounts was read and confirmed. The balance in the hands of the treasurer amounts to £19 16s 4d., a slight increase upon that of the previous year. A course of University Extension lectures on “Heat as a form of energy” was arranged for and delivered in the early part of this year, Mr. Sells being again the lecturer. At the terminal examination the following gentlemen passed, the three first with distinction: W.R. Grundy, J.C. Lee, Hubert T. Storrs, and W.R. Lewis. The financial and other results were so satisfactory that the committee propose continuing the scheme, and arrangements are now being made for another course in the early part of 1894. The following officers were elected for the coming session:-
President – Mr. J.B. Prosser
Vice-Presidents – Messrs. George Winter, J.G. Walker, J.M. Kirk, and H.H. Corbett
Committee – Mr. J. Shotton, the Rev. Canon Tebutt, Messrs. T. Lovel Atkinson, H Culpin, W.E. Atkinson and Dr. Mitchell Wilson
Hon Secretary and treasurer – Mr. M.H. Stiles
Nov 1, 1893
The Second Meeting of the Session was held in the Reference Room, Free Library.
Mr. J.B. Prosser (President) in the chair.
Six members were present.
Mrs. Corbett was elected a member of the society.
[a trimmed piece of paper 16.3cm wide by 11.6 cm tall has been pasted by one edge into the minute book, then folded so that the overlapping side is contained within the minute book. It contains a typed script.]
“A paper on the “Gulf Stream” was read by Mr. H. Culpin.
Allusion having been made to the various kinds of movement to which the main seas are subject, the “Gulg Stream” was descriped as the most important in its effects of the ocean currents.
The Atlantic equatorial currents were explained, and the course of the stream was then traced from the Gulf of Mexico along the North American coast to the neighbourhood of Newfoundland, from where, having lost its peculiar characteristics, it spreads as slow warm currents over the Atlantic, one branch bending southwards round the weed piled Sargasso sea, and the north eastern branch crossing by our own shores towards the coasts of Norway and Spitzbergen.
Its size, speed, temperature and deep blue colour were duly set forth; and particulars being given of the amount of heat it is estimated to carry with it, the beneficial effects upon our climate and that of north western Europe were fully entered into.
In the consideration of its causes prominence was given to the view which attributes it to the movements induced in the ocean by the interaction of the sun’s heat in warming and evaporating the tropical waters and the influence of the cold in the frigid zones increasing the density of the polar waters.
The paper concluded with a representation of the part the possible deflection southwards of the heated equatorial currents may have in the occurrence of the glacial periods.”
[it then reverts back to Stiles handwriting]
An instructive discussion followed after which a hearty vote of thanks was accorded to Mr. Culpin for his very interesting paper.
Signed J. Greenhalgh Walker.
Nov 21, 1893
The Third Meeting of the Session was held in the Reference Room, Free Library.
Mr. J.G. Walker (Vice-President) in the chair.
Seven members were present.
The minutes of the previous meeting were read & confirmed.
The Secretary announced that, in response to an invitation from this society, the Yorkshire Naturalists Union would hold its Annual Meeting for 1894 in Doncaster.
As the Union was not able to arrange an Excursion for the Doncaster District during the Summer of 1894, it was suggested that some of the neighbouring Towns be asked to join this society in getting up such an Excursion.
Mr. H.H. Corbett then read a paper on “The Field Naturalist – an Animal in Danger of Extinction”.
After alluding to Mr. Kirk’s paper upon Extinct Animals, the essayist went on to say that the Field Naturalist was in danger of sharing their extinction. He then described a typical field naturalist as a student of facts in nature rather than a spectator upon the cause of such facts. Gilbert White being spoken of as a good example.
He then showed how by the increase of knowledge brought about by the field naturalist themselves, their true type was becoming impossible, specialization became necessary, and the modern representative of the field naturalist became rather a Botanist, an Entomologist or some other kind of specialist or might even degenerate into a mere collector.
Richard Jeffreys was mentioned as a recent of the true field naturalist.
In conclusion the essayist spoke of the usefulness of naturalists societies such as the Y.N.U. where all branches of nature may be studied by different individuals & their works combined.
A discussion followed after which a vote of thanks to Mr. Corbett was proposed by the chairman & seconded by Mr. Culpin.
Signed H. Culpin.
Dec 6, 1893.
The Fourth Meeting of the Session was held in the Reference Room, Free Library.
Mr. H. Culpin in the chair.
Ten members were present.
A short Lecture entitled “Improvements in Bromide Printing” followed by a demonstration was given by the Hon. Secretary, Mr. Stiles.
Starting with a description of Bromide Papers & how it was worked, the lecturer outlined the various methods of Exposure & Development giving Formulae for the Developer in general use & specially recommending the Ferrous Oxalate for its simplicity, reliability & the good colours of the prints produced with it. Two trial exposures were then made – one a rather thin negative representing a winter scene at Cusworth the other a view of the Parish Church from the Canal with a boat in the foreground. The first was a thin negative & to it was given an exposure of 60 seconds with a Paraffin Lamp at a distance of 24 inches, The lamp had a metal chimney with Glass Slip covered with a metal shutter having an aperture [blank] in diameter – a system of lighting adopted to secure uniformity.
To the Church negative an exposure of 90 seconds at 18 inches was given. Increasing the distance of the Light augments the contrast in a thin flat negative & decreasing it has the reverse effect with a plucky negative. The result may also be modified by using a strong or weak developer.
The two prints after development were cleared in a bath of Sulphuric Acid 3 oz to a pint of water to prevent any subsequent discolouration & then after washing were fixed in a solution of Hypo 3oz to a pint of water. After thorough washing, should the colours of the resulting prints not be satisfactory, they may be toned in a bath consisting of 1 grain of gold, 30gns of Sulphocyanide of Ammonium & 6 oz of water.
Care should be taken not to overtone as the Shadows are apt to become blocked up to some extent if this be done.
Mr. Stiles exhibited a number of mounted prints produced by the process he had described & demonstrated, most of them finished with a matt surface by squeegeeing on to finely ground glass. They were mounted by treating with tuncilage(?) of Gum Arabic previous to removal from the glass stripped when dry, trimmed, placed on a previously masked & wetted card & then rubbed into contact with clean blotting paper.
Thus treated the matt finish was not interfered with & the process of mounting became an easy & certain one.
Formulae No 1
Oxalate of Potash 4 oz, Bromide of Ammonia 5 gms, water 16 oz.
Formulae No 2
Sulphate of Iron 4 oz, dilute Sulphuric acid 3iij, water 12 oz.
Add I part of No 2 to 5 parts of No 1
Increased brilliancy is imparted by using half the bulk of old developer.
A vote of thanks to Mr. Stiles was proposed by Mr. J.G. Walker & seconded by Mr. W.E. Atkinson.
The following gentlemen were nominated as members – Messrs. H. Percy, S.J. Barton, & F. Moat.
Signed J. Greenhalgh Walker
Dec 20, 1893
The fifth Meeting of the Session was held in the Reference Room, Free Library
Mr. J.G. Walker (Vice President) in the chair.
Twelve members & friends were present.
The following gentlemen, who had been duly nominated at the previous meeting were elected members of the society –
Mr. W.H. Percy, Mr. S. J. Barton, Mr. F. Moat, & Mr. J. Halinshaw.
Mr. J.B. Prosser then read a paper on “The Steam Engine” of which the following is an abstract form the chief points touched upon –
The properties of Steam- mode of generating
Circulation of water in boiler
Boiling point of water under different pressures
Pressures & temperatures of steam
Volume, weight and expansion of steam
Performance of work by steam- earliest known mention of any steam motor
Hero of Alexandria B.C. 130
Description of Saverys, Newcomen’s & Boulton & Watts Primitive Engines
Description of ordinary Steam Engine of present day
Short Biography of James Watt
Expansive working of Steam
Pressure used in his time
Watts other Inventions,
Indicators for Steam Engines, Separate Condensers etc.
Range of Temperatures in the Cylinders of a working steam engine
Condensation & loss of heat in the same.
Theory of the Compound & Triple expansion engines.
History of the Locomotive Engine & names of the principal men who have perfected it
Weights, load, & speeds of early & present locomotives.
History of Marine Engines & number of Steamships in England from first use to date.
Description of Engines of S.S. Teutonic & number of men required to work them
consumption of coal, steam etc. –
Consumption of steam coal in the best engines of different kinds as shown by trials.
Horse Power & General Remarks.
Signed J.M. Kirk, Chairman
May 23, 1894
The Seventh Meeting of the Session was held in the Reference Room, Free Library.
Mr. J.M. Kirk, F.R.M.S. in the chair
Sixteen members & friends were present.
The following gentlemen were elected members of the society.
Messrs. W.H. White, H.W. Cornelious, G.T.B. Woodley, J.T. Bagshaw.
A lecture on “Composition Printing” was delivered by Mr. F. Whaley in which he gave an admirable account of his method of building up Pictures from two or more negatives.
Three of his Prize Pictures were taken as examples & the whole process from the inception of the subject to the production of the print was explained in a graphic & simple manner which could be understood by the verist Tyro present. The accompanying demonstration was intently watched by all & the process freely discussed by the more experienced members. Mr. Whaley readily replying to questions as he went on with his work.
A hearty vote of thanks to Mr. Whaley for his interesting & instructive lecture was proposed by Mr. Percy & seconded by Mr. Barton. Mr. Whaley in replying made a suggestion that the society should endeavour to get up an exhibition promising that he would do all he could to secure the help of brother Professionals in various parts of the country. The proposal was favorably received by those present.
The proceedings was brought to a close with a vote of thanks to the chairman.
Signed Geo. B. Bisat.
Jan 6, 1894
The Eight Meeting of the Session was held in the Reference Room, Free Library.
Mr. George Bisat in the chair.
Thirteen members were present.
Mr. Walter Yates & Mr. F.H. Dod were elected members of the society.
Mr. S. J. Barton then read a paper on “Negative Making” in which the various steps in the production of a negative were intelligently dealt with.
The paper which was more particularly addressed to the younger members gave rise to a good discussion thus adding considerably to the interest of the meeting.
A vote of thanks to Mr. Barton was proposed by Mr. Bisat & seconded by Mr. Woodley.
Jan 8, 1894
At a Committee Meeting held on this date the following were present: –
Mr. J.B. Prosser (President), Messrs. W.E. Atkinson, H. Culpin, & M.H. Stiles
It was proposed by Mr. Prosser & seconded by Mr. Atkinson that the Mayor be asked to take the chair for the first University Extension Lecture.
It was also resolved that the arrangements adopted in the previous year be followed for the present course.
Signed J. Mitchell Wilson.
June 20, 1894
A committee Meeting was held in the Free Library.
Present – Br. Mitchell Wilson (in the chair), Messrs. T.L. Atkinson, Culpin, Kirk, & Stiles.
After discussing the arrangements for the approaching Meeting of the Y.N.U. in October next, it was resolved on the motion of Mr. Atkinson, seconded by Mr. Culpin, that the committee of this society have powers to add to their number (either members or non-members) for the special work of organizing an Exhibition for the occasion. It was proposed by Dr. Wilson & seconded by Mr. Kirk, that the committee have powers to spend a sum, not exceeding £10.0.0. for this special purpose.
It was also recommended that next year an application be made for a course of Gilchrist Lectures.
An attempt was then made to choose a subject for a course of University Extension Lectures for 1895 but as no agreement could be arrived at the meeting was adjourned until June 26.
It was suggested that the following gentlemen be asked to join the special committee referred to above.
Mr. Whaley, Mr. Thompson, Mr. Howard, Mr. G. Bisat, Mr. W. Roberts, Mr. J. Simmonds
Signed J.B. Prosser 26.6.94.
June 26, 1894
An adjourned Committee Meeting was held in the Free Library at which the following were present.
Mr. J.B. Prosser (in the chair), Dr. J. Mitchell Wilson, Messrs. W.E. Atkinson, Culpin, T.L. Atkinson, & M.H. Stiles (hon. Sec.)
The discussion respecting the choice of a subject for the University Extension Lectures was resumed, no decision was arrived at, but it was eventually proposed by Dr, Wilson ^ seconded by Mr. T.L. Atkinson & carried, that the Secretary should write to the Yorkshire College to ask whether it would be possible to arrange a Course of Lectures on Architecture & also to get information about the courses on Astronomy.
It was also resolved on the motion of Mr. T.L. Atkinson seconded by Dr. Wilson, that this society be affiliated to the Yorkshire Union.
Signed J. Mitchell Wilson
Aug 21, 1894
A meeting of the committee was held to decide upon the subject for the Course of University Extension Lectures after Christmas.
Dr. Mitchell Wilson (in the chair), Messrs. Corbett, T.L. Atkinson., & M.H. Stiles (hon. Sec.)
The Secretary read the letter he had received from the Yorkshire College from which it appeared that the only subject now available was “Astronomy” by Mr. P.F. Kendall. Ir was therefore proposed by Mr. Corbett & seconded by Mr. Atkinson, that a Course of Lectures on Astronomy by Mr. Kendall be arranged for, to be delivered after Xmas.
It was suggested that the details in connection with the course be left to the Hon. Sec.
Signed Mitchell Wilson.
Oct 5, 1894
Committee Meeting in the Free Library.
Present – Dr. Mitchell Wilson (chairman), Messrs. Corbett, J.G. Walker & M.H. Stiles (Hon. Sec.)
The Secretary reported progress respecting the arrangements for the Annual Meeting of the Y.N.U. & stated that the Mayor had assented to them. The invitation card was shown & approved of. It was resolved that a Band be procured to play at intervals during the evening.
The General Meeting was fixed for Oct 10th. Dr. Wilson was suggested as the President for the ensuing year & Mr. Bisat as a member of the committee.
Oct 10, 1894
Meeting in the Free Library.
[a newspaper cutting was pasted into the minute book at this point]
Doncaster Microscopical and General Scientific Society.
The fifteenth annual meeting of this society was held on Wednesday evening last, Mr. H.H. Corbett, M.R.C.S. (Vice-President), in the chair.
There was a good attendance of members [16 present] and three new ones were elected. The report of the past year, which was of a favourable character, was read and confirmed. Fifteen new members have been elected during that time, and the society has now a balance in hand amounting to upward of £23, Encouraged by the success of the two former courses of University extension lectures, the society undertook another in the early part of the present year with Dr. Cohen, of Leeds, as lecturer. The subject – the Chemistry of Common Things – was well received, and at the close candidates entered for examination, nine of whom passed, four with distinction. Arrangements have been made for the delivery of another series of lectures in 1895. The following officers were chosen for the coming session: –
President, Dr. Mitchell Wilson
Vice-Presidents – Messrs. J.G. Walker, J.M. Kirk, H.H. Corbett, and J.B. Prosser
Committee – Messrs. T.L. Atkinson, W.E. Atkinson, H. Culpin, F. Whaley, G. Bisat, and J.R. Thompson
Hon. Secretary and treasurer – M.H. Stiles.
The meeting concluded with votes of thanks to the officers of the society, and to the presiding chairman.
[end of paper cutting]
The three new members were Mr. & Mrs. J.G. Robinson & Mr. Bellamy.
The adoption of the report was moved by Mr. H. Percy & seconded by Mr. S.J. Barton
[End of Minute Book]
[Also included within the minute book where four separate reports on loose sheets, three of which had a straight pin securing the sheets together. In each report, each sheet of paper was numbered. The reports were for the sessions 1890-91, 1891-92, 1892-3, 1893-4. Each of these reports will appear as supplements on the Archive Index page.]