Minute Book 6. (1913-1922)
This minute book, as the label inside the front cover shows, was purchased from
Eleph G. Bisat,
Commercial Printer and Stationer, and Account Book Manufacturer.
5 Barter Gate, Doncaster.
The spine is titled Minute Book
It consists of, in the first section, each page being tagged with alphabetical letters, AB, CD, EF, etc.
The pages following are numbered 1 to 358.
There is a blank front and rear page.
The pages measure 9 1/2 x 7 inches
Page 1
Doncaster Scientific Society Minute Book 1913
A committee meeting was held at 9 Priory Place on Monday May 19th 1913
Present – Mrs Crow (President) in the chair, Miss Cook Mrs. Corbett & Messrs. Kirby, Stiles. Bisat & Corbett.
The minutes of the last committee meeting were read & confirmed.
The Summer Programme was approved, subject to any alterations of date that might be found necessary.
Signed Geo. B. Bisat
A committee meeting was held at 9 Priory Place on Monday June 16th 1913
Present – Mrs. Crow (President) in the chair, Miss Cook Mrs. Corbett & Messrs. Bisat, Baker & Corbett.
The following names were approved for membership
Mrs. Langley, Mrs. Swallow, Messrs. Tyler, Sleight, & Miss Shemel ?
It was proposed by Mr. Baker. That the society should be affiliated with the Selbourne Society & the Footpaths & Commons Preservation Society.
This was referred to the next meeting.
Signed Geo. B. Bisat
Page 2
A newspaper cutting was pasted into the minute book at this point.
Afternoon at Hooton Pagnell.
The first excursion of the current summer session of the Scientific Society was held on Thursday last, when a party of more than twenty ramblers met at the station for the 2.20 p.m. train to Hampole. On arrival at the latter place a delightful walk of about three miles was taken to Hooton Pagnell. The route was nearly all through fields and woods, and flowers were found in abundance of both individuals and species.
Chiefly these were the common wayside and woodland plants of a limestone sub-soil, but among them were some rarely found in this district. Notable among these was the beautiful Columbine (Aquilegia vulgaris), making a lovely show with its elegant purple flowers and soft glaucous green leaves; the beautiful grass, (milium effusum), with its delicate pinnacles of flowers, showing their golden anthers and feathery styles; and the guelder rose (Viburnum opulus) rich with umbels of sweet scented creamy blossoms.
On arrival at Hooton a few cyclists were met at the Hall, increasing the number to 28. The whole party visited the Hall, where the herbaceous gardens and rock gardens were greatly enjoyed. Here tea had been kindly provided by Mrs. Warde-Aldam and was found very pleasant under the trees on the lawn. A sudden thunderstorm drove the visitors from the pleasures of the garden to the interior of the Hall.
Here were found an unlimited collection of objects of interest to antiquaries, carved oak chest, pre-historic querns, warming pans, rush-light holders, old pewter, old prints, Scottish cruisers, and one cannot say what besides, for a couple of hours were useless in which to attempt to see all the treasures of this collection. The history of the building was told by Mr. Wilson, the estate agent.
It was with regret that the time for making the homeward journey came too soon, and all who took part in the excursion felt very sorry to tear themselves away from so charming a place. The thanks of the Society were tendered to Mrs. Warde-Aldam for a most enjoyable afternoon.
Doncaster Chronicle 13th June 1913
Another newspaper cutting was pasted into the minute book immediately following the previous one.
Saturday with the Scientists.
[Contributed]
On Saturday sixteen members and friends of the Scientific Society met at the Thorne N.E. Station on the arrival of the 1.50 p.m. train from Doncaster to take part in a ramble to Medge Hall. The district to be traversed is one full of attractions to field Naturalists, and as soon as the party left the high road and took to the footpath leading towards Thorne Moor, botanists, ornithologists, and entomologists found much to interest them. In the fields were seen the corn crowfoot (Ranunculus arvensis) and in a meadow near the moor was the very rare rough hawk’s-beard (Crepis biennis). This handsome plant had not previously been recorded for the Doncaster district.
On arriving at the edge of the moor a halt was made by the side of the ditch which was choked up by one of the pond weeds (Potamogeton polygonifolius). An investigation of the ditch by means of the water net showed that it was very rich in aquatic life, some ten of twelve species of beetles being seen, including the great water beetle (Dytiscus marginalis). Numerous larval newts were also found, presenting, with their plume-like external gills, a strong resemblance to the curious mud-fish (Axolotl) of America.
Continuing by the lane that skirts the edge of the moor other interesting plants were noted, among them being a rare wild rose (Rosa obtusifolia), the hemlock (Conium maculatum). This plant was very fine, and the opportunity was taken to point out to the less advanced botanists of the party its characteristics, purple spotted and smooth stem, bracts only on one side of the secondary umbels, mousy odour, etc., so that they might distinguish these strongly poisonous plants from others that are generally similar but harmless. The sweet scented bog myrtle (Myrica gale) was seen in abundance, and the two yellow loosestrifes (Lysamachia vulgaris and L. nummalaria) were both found.
While the botanists were busy the bird lovers were also having a good time. Those well meaning but inaccurate persons would have us believe that in these days one can see no birds except sparrows, a few finches and warblers, and rooks, all others having been exterminated by collectors, keepers, etc., would perhaps modify their statements had they been with our party. A stately heron rose with slow beating wings from the ditch, black-headed gulls cackled and screamed in numbers, redshanks piped and whistled, snipe drummed, a kestrel hovered over tree tops, black caps made sweet music in the bushes, gold crests sang their little songs in the fir trees, and the hole in a dead birch showed signs where the woodpecker had been at work. We are by no means without interesting bird life in South Yorkshire.
On arrival at the canal side the botanists again found much to please them. Here one of our most elegant sedges (Carex pseudo-cyperus) was seen in profusion, together with other commoner species of the genus. The pond weeds were again in strong evidence, but the time of year was a little too early to find these difficult and interesting plants in their best condition. Good flowering specimens of P. perfoliatus and P. freisii were gathered, but other kinds were not yet in flower.
Time prevented further nature study, and Medge Hall station was reached in time for the 4.59 p.m. train to Doncaster, the ramblers having enjoyed a most delightful afternoon.
[Doncaster Chronicle, 4th July 1913]
Page 3
And yet another newspaper cutting is pasted into the minute book immediately following.
Virgin March Land
The bogs of Kilham
(Contributed)
The fifth ramble by the Doncaster Scientistic Society of the present season was taken on Thursday, when the members and friends explored the country around Awkley. There are now but few bits of virgin-marsh left in this highly cultivated district, and among these the bog near Kilham Farm, on the side of the river Torne, is perhaps as little known to local naturalists as are any of them. This was evident on Thursday last, as it transpired that only two of the society’s members had previously visited the spot.
Leaving Finningley Station at about 2.20 p.m. the road was followed to Awkley. The hedge-rows and the grassy borders of the lanes were so rich in profusion of flowers that the leader of the ramble had much difficulty in keeping the company on the march. Knowing, however, that the Kilham Marsh would require all the time at their disposal for anything like an adequate investigation he hurried them on, and when after a tramp of about three miles the place was reached, his followers quite appreciated the necessity of their forced march. The majority of the ramblers were botanists, and Kilham is a veritable “happy hunting ground” for such. Owing to the prolonged drought, nearly all parts of the ground could be explored, though it must be owned that nearly every member of the party found places where the feet sank over boot tops in the spongy oose.
The general vegetation of the marsh was seen to be comprised of tall grasses, rushes and sedges, with here and there open spaces of lower growing plants; the bog-bean (Menyanthis trifoliata) being dominant species. This had passed its flowering period, but among and around it were many charming and uncommon marsh plants. The marsh orchis (O. latifolia) was in profusion. The strikingly handsome meadow thistle (Carduus pratensis) reared its large purple head of flowers above the surrounding vegetation. The large golden cup like flowers of the great spear-wort (Ranunculus lingua), by far the most beautiful of our native buttercups, fringed the margin of the natural bog garden. The delicate white stars of the mash stitch-wort (Stellaria palustris) were to be seen on all sides, while masses of commoner but equally beautiful plants, e.g. iris, ragged-robin, marsh house-wort, marsh rag-wort, and many others, made a wealth of colour such as is rarely seen.
The silky fruits of the cotton sedge (Eriophorum augusti-folium) were seen in abundance, while less conspicuous, but equally pleasing to the botanical eye were the numerous species of rush and sedge, among which were some quite uncommon species, e.g., the blunt-flowered rush,(Juncus obtusiforus), easily distinguished from other rushes by the white colour of the flowers. The bristle-stalked chub rush (Scirpus setaceus), one of the smallest of the sedges, and hence overlooked. When examined closely it is seen to be a beautiful little plant, its small flower spikes, like minute fir cones, with the long yellow antlers protruding to catch the breeze and carry their pollen to the stigmas of other flowers of the same kind.
Marsh-land birds were equally in evidence as were the plants. Moor hens squattered along the surface of the ditches, snipe flew away with their zig-zag flight, the grasshopper warbler trilled its cricket-like song in the thick bushes, sedge warblers chattered in the reed beds, and the metallic notes of the reed bunting were constantly heard.
It was with general regret that time necessitated a move towards Branton and tea, and the consensus of opinion of the party was that Kilham must be visited again.
[Doncaster chronicle, 11.7.13]
Page 4 [left blank]
Page 5
A Committee Meeting was held at 9 Priory Place on Monday June 6th 1913
Present Mr. Crow (President) in the chair, Mrs. Corbett, Miss Cooke, & Messrs. Bisat, Baker, & Corbett.
[all the above crossed out with no further entry for that date]
A Committee Meeting was held at 9 Priory Place on Wednesday July 9th 1913.
Present Mr. Bisat in the chair, Mrs. Corbett, the Misses Nodes & Cooke, & Messrs. Baker, Kirby, Watson, Golledge & Corbett.
The minutes of the last two meetings were read & confirmed.
It was proposed that four delegates attend the W.E.A. meeting & that the President, Miss Nodes, Mr. Corbett & Mr. Ferguson be the delegates & that should any of the four be unable to attend other members be co-opted to fill their place (Mem con).
It was proposed that our Society be affiliated with the Selborne Society & The Commons & Footpaths Preservation Society (Mem con).
The following names were approved foe membership
Messrs. Hulse & Clarkson
Signed Arthur Crow
Page 6
A Committee Meeting was held at 9 Priory Place on Wednesday September 22nd 1913.
Present Mr. Crow (President) in the chair, Mmes. Corbett & Crow, Messrs.. Stiles, Bisat, Golledge, Greenslade & Corbett.
The minutes of the last two meetings were read & confirmed.
The following names were passed for membership
Miss Burkhead & Mr. Wills
The Winter Programme as arranged by the Hon. Sec. was approved subject to such alterations as may be found necessary.
It was proposed that one of the three following gentlemen be asked to deliver a lecture at the Conversazione.
Viz. Rev. E. A. W. Peacock, Prof. Kendall & Rev. A. Thornley
Signed Rob. Watson.
Page 7
Winter Session 1913-14
The first Ordinary Meeting of the Winter Session was held in the New Science Room, Guild Hall, on Wednesday Oct., 8th 1913
Present Mr. Crow (President) in the chair & between 50 & 60 members & visitors.
Sectional Reports
Physics
Mr. Stiles gave a detailed report of the extraordinary rainfall of Wednesday Sep. 17th. On tis day records of from 5 to 6 inches of rain were made at several stations in & around Doncaster.
Zoolology
Mr. Corbett exhibited & described a mollusk Paludestrina jenkensii. The species has only been included in the British fauna within the last few years. It first appeared in brackish pools near the estuaries of some of our rivers. Lately it has been found in freshwater streams & canals. The first record for this district was made on Thursday Aug. 28th, when it was found in countless numbers in the river Went below Wentbridge
Page 8
Mr. Crow delivered his presidential address on “The Dead & the Undying Past”
A report of the lecture from the Gazette 10.10.13 is appended. Mr. Crow was cordially thanked for his very able & stimulating address.
Signed Arthur Crow
[A newspaper cutting is pasted into the minute book at the point]
Scientific Society
Opening Meeting and Presidential Address
“The Dead and the Undying Past”
The Doncaster Scientific Society opened its winter session on Wednesday evening when there was a good attendance of members to hear the address of the President, Mr. A. Crow, on “The Dead and Undying Past.”
Mr. Crow, modestly introducing himself as an “unscientific man,” said that the antiquarian, in seeking replies to his questions about the way we had come, had perforce to turn to dead things, and they spoke to him with no uncertain voice of a road out of the darkness. Life had existed here for unknown ages, had been manifested in various forms, and found expression in different ways. These died, bur their spirit was re-embodied in other shapes, which died in turn to make room for yet other expressions of the undying past, and this law, or spirit, endured while its various forms passed away.
The speaker exhibited some specimens of human handiwork, ranging from the River Drift implements of earliest antiquity to the iron implements of the present age, and asked “Do we see here nothing more than dead relics of bygone times? Is progress, growth, inventiveness, change not here? Here is the dead past, yet the undying past is with us, vital, forceful, urging man on to his destiny. It was the same spirit that caused this poor tool to be made as that which brought the steam engine into being.”
Such a concept of the unity of human work, said Mr. Crow, caused us to wonder whether there was not a limit to possible advances. Man’s nature, however, was many sided, and if the boundary had been reached in physical or intellectual development, could we say that it had been reached in regard to man’s moral nature? It would be by no means inconsistent with the teaching of the past to believe that the next step in man’s evolution would be in the realm of morals. If our fathers made instruments which suited their needs, we were their true sons only as we made institutions which suited our needs.
From Savage to Sage
The President invited his hearers to go back far enough to get a long view of what change had done, and vividly portrayed the scene on that day ages ago, when this land of ours first felt the step of the single pioneer – a scarce human being. Was this the raw material on which change would work until there should come a Shakespeare, a Newton, and the host of self-sacrificing, noble souls who had redeemed humanity from utter sordidness? However slowly they moved, men did go forward, and in the poor creatures he had pictured, there burned the same spirit of adventure that had distinguished all the pathfinders of our race. He was the brother, the equal in quality if not in degree, with Galileo, Watt, Simpson and Darwin. Although he belonged to the Past, and his form of life dead, his spirit belonged to all time, and was in the line of true succession with those who had done great things.
Many good and honourable people, remarked the speaker, were genuinely pained and alarmed to-day through seeing the removal of ols landmarks in our religious, political, social or economic life. They felt the bitterness, the foolishness, the irresponsibility that so often attended new departures of any moment. Would it not be more practical to see in all this the undying past, and to take courage from what we could see of its operation over a very wide stretch of past time? The time must be ripe foe any change, if it was to be placed on a solid basis, but the Past showed clearly that when the time was ripe the change must come, however much opposed.
Science Not the Last Word.
At the present day, a universal brotherhood was being talked of – and it might be that prophets were speaking. Objection might be raised that men had always fought with each other, and that there must always be nations who would believe that hurt to another people was gain to themselves. This, declared the speaker, was believing that the dying past would always live. If we compared the beliefs held by the majority of people living to-day, we should get a shock to note what a change had taken place. That Scientific Society would grow old and die, as would also the scientific method and mood which it represented, while its spirit would live on into such an enlargement of human powers as was now beyond our thought. There was no certainty that science, as we apprehended it, was the last word in man’s power of knowing. We could not be sure that intuition and insight might not be quite rudimentary powers, and that they might not be developed in another 500,00 years as highly as to be man’s chief guide.
[Doncaster Gazette, 10th October 1913]
Page 9
An Ordinary Meeting of the Society was held in the New Science Room, Guild Hall on Wednesday Oct. 22nd, 1913.
Present Mr. Crow (President) in the chair, & about 80 members.
Mr. T. Sheppard of Hull delivered a lecture on “The lost towns of East Yorkshire.”
The lecture, which was illustrated by numerous old maps & copies of drawings, which were shown from the screen of the lantern, was full of historical & archaeological information. It was seen that Holderness is only lent to England & is being gradually worn away by the encroachment of the sea. At the same time a compensating deposit of new land is taking place in the Humber estuary. It was interesting to see on the evidence of a series of maps of different dates, how towns & villages have slowly retreated westward while still preserving their old names. Others have wholly disappeared & even their names have ceased to be.
After some questions had been replied to by Mr. Sheppard, a hearty vote of thanks was accorded to the lecturer.
[a newspaper cutting was pasted into the minute book at this point]
East Yorkshires Vanished Towns
Those who have holidayed on the East Coast of Yorkshire will have been told tales by the fishermen of ghostly bells that ring when storms rage. This, of course, is supposed to be due to water rocking the bells of churches that have been submerged. But be this as it may, there is no doubt that the sea has entirely swallowed up whole townships on the East Coast. This is a most interesting subject, and Doncastrians, who hitherto have not known whether the tails of submerged villages were a myth or not, were shown old maps which told of the sea’s ravages, when Mr. T. Sheppard, F.G.S., F.S.A. Scot., of Hull, delivered a lantern lecture on “The Lost Towns of East Yorkshire,” at a meeting of the Doncaster Scientific Society on Wednesday. By the aid of maps thrown on the lantern screen, the lecturer showed how the sea had been washing way each year ground estimated at seven feet wide. Even in 1750 maps recorded where places had disappeared. All along the coast these places abound, some villages having vanished without leaving a single trace except the name. Many towns have retreated before the advancing sea, such as Horncastle, Withernsea, and many other places from Spurn Point to Bridlington. As a portion of the towns was washed away, houses were built at the land end. The sea has “tapped” inland lakes, taken away harbours, and it is recorded where farmers refused to pay rates and taxes simply because the land was no longer there. At Kilnsea within the last century, the vicarage, the church, and houses had disappeared, while there was ample evidence that Ravensere, built on an island near Spurn Point, with its warehouses and places of business, etc., was entirely submerged. The growth of “Sunk Island,” in the Humber until it is no longer an island, was shown, and the way Spurn Point juts out its pointed head a little further each year, thus causing the light to be moved very often. Mr. Sheppard treated his subject in admirable fashion, and it must have been a great surprise to many to hear of the large number of recorded cases of vanished towns and villages.
[Doncaster Chronicle, 24th October 1913]
Page 10
An Ordinary Meeting of the Society was held in the New Science Room, Guild Hall on Wednesday Nov. 5th, 1913.
Present Mr. Crow (President) in the chair, & about 60 members.
The following new members were elected
Miss Birkhead & Messrs. Crawford, Maun, Martin, Thomas, Stilwell, Walters & Wills.
A lecture entitled “The Old Horse-shoe” was delivered by Mr. A. E. Benney of Bradford.
Folk lore of horse shoes, & all connected therewith, caused a wide field in which there was ample room for the play of the imagination. Mr. Benny showed a wide knowledge of folk lore & his fluent & humorous style was greatly appreciated by the audience, most of whom were hearing him for the first time but they hoped not the last time.
A vote of thanks to the lecturer concluded the meeting
Signed Artur Crow.
Page 11 (& 12)
An Ordinary Meeting of the Society was held in the New Science Room, Guild Hall on Wednesday Nov. 19th, 1913.
Present Mr. Crow (President) in the chair, & about 56 members & visitors.
The minutes of the last meeting were read & confirmed.
Sectional Reports
Botany – Mr. Baker announced that on the occasion of the visit of the Yorkshire Bryologists to Sprotbro ’on Saturday Nov. 1st, the very rare moss Tortula cernua was found in abundance at Levitt Hagg. This is the only known British station for the plant.
Professor Garstang of Leeds University then delivered a lecture on “The Life Histories of some Sea Fishes.”
The lecture began by a comparison of the older methods of Sea fishing, by means of small sailing boats, with the modern method by means of large steam trawlers. The great increase in power & efficiency of the modern boats was having a very serious effect upon the quality of the fish & in many instances the fishing grounds were becoming depleted.
The life history of the eel & its gradual metamorphosis from the leptocephaloid larva were then described together with the extensive investigations by means of which the migration of the young eels were traced in both time and space from the deep sea where the ova were deposited to the estuaries and rivers of the European continent & our islands, where the adult eels inhabit.
By means of numerous chats and graphs the important facts in the history of many of our more important food fishes were shown. These are not only of importance from a purely scientific aspect, but are of incalculable economic value.
Professor Garstang was for a long time engaged in these investigations & so his first hand knowledge was the more interesting.
The only drawback to the lecture was the hurry caused by the lecturer’s having to return to Leeds by the 9.20 p.m. train.
Notwithstanding this our members generally felt that they had rarely spent a more interesting or instructive hour, & a hearty vote of thanks coupled with a wish that Prof. Garstang would come again brought the meeting to a close.
Signed Arthur Crow.
Page 13
An Ordinary Meeting of the Society was held in the New Science Room, Guild Hall on Wednesday Dec. 3rd , 1913.
Present Mr. Crow (President) in the chair, & about 87 members & visitors.
The minutes of the last meeting were read & confirmed.
Sectional Reports
Botany – Mr. Baker mentioned having attended a meeting of the Yorkshire Bryologists at Sprotbro’ when the very rare moss Tortula cernua was found in abundance in its only known British station at Levitt Hagg.
Physics – Mr. Stiles gave a lengthy report of the heavy local rain of September 19th.
Mr. Baker delivered a lecture on “Science & the Criminal”
The history of the science of criminology was traced from Gall & Lavater to Lombroso & the humane & Scientific treatment of degenerates as exemplified at the Elmira establishment in New York was described. The results at Elmira were shown to be so satisfactory that the method of treatment though appearing to the man in the street somewhat utopian can be fully recommended from both economic & humanitarian aspects.
A good discussion followed & a vote of thanks to the lecturer closed the meeting.
Signed Arthur Crow.
Page 14
Committee Meeting held in the New Science Room, Wednesday Dec 3rd, 1913.
Present Mr. Crow (President) Mrs. Crow, Mrs. Corbett & Messrs. Stiles, Watson, Golledge, Kirby, Greenslade, Baker & Corbett.
A letter from Prof. Kendall regretting his inability to lecture at the Conversazione on Thus. Jan. 29th was read & it was resolved that the Mr. Gillingham be asked to fill the vacancy.
Signed Baker, chairman Pro tem.
Committee Meeting held at 9 Priory Place 11th Dec 1913
Present Mmes. Crow & Corbett & Messrs. Baker & Corbett.
The minutes of the last meeting were read & confirmed.
It was resolved that Mr. Grace be the lecturer for the Soire & that the subject be “The Scenery of the Lake District.”
It was further resolved that Mrs. Warde-Aldam offer of Brass rubbings be accepted.
The Soiree Committee was co-opted
The date for the first meeting of the Soiree Committee was passed for Wednesday Dec. 18th.
Signed M. H. Stiles, Chairman (Pro Tem).
Page 15
A Meeting of the Soiree Committee was held at 9 Priory Place on Wednesday 17th December 1913
Present Mr. Crow (President) in the chair, Mms Baker, Crow, & Corbett, the Misses Nodes, Whitehead, Arnold & Popplewell & Messrs. Wylde, Stiles, Brown, Vaughan, Stainton, Moate, Bellamy, Baker, Willing & Corbett.
The minutes of the last Soiree Committee were read & confirmed.
It was proposed by Mr. Stiles, seconded by Mr. Wilde & carried. That Mr. Jones be the lecturer at the Soiree & that the subject of the lecture be “The Scenery of the Lake District.”
It was proposed by Mr. Wylde, seconded by Mrs. Crow & carried mem con. That Mrs. Warde-Aldam’s offer of Brass rubbings be accepted.
The following members offered help in various sectors.
Mr. Stiles – Microscopes
Mr. Wilde – Sheffield Coins
Messrs. Baker & Brown – Geology
Mr. Stiles – Colour Photos
Mr. Wylde – Conchology
Mr. Stainton – Conchology
Messrs. Moate, Stiles, Jordan, & Beetham – Lantern Slides
Mr. Crow – Archaeology
Mr. Bellamy – Stereoscopes
Mr. Bellamy – Wireless telegraphy
Mr. Wilde – Old Atlas
Mr. Crow – Old Books
Mr. Stiles – to see Editors of Chronicle & Gazette re notice of Soiree.
Mr. Stiles – Pianolo
Mrs. Corbett – Refreshments.
Signed Arthur Crow.
Page 16
A Meeting of the Soiree Committee was held at 9 Priory Place on Monday 19th January 1914
Present Mr. Crow (President) in the chair, Mms Baker, Crow, & Corbett, the Misses Whitehead, Cormold(?) & Messrs. Willing, Baker, Moate, Beetham, Bisat, Stainton, Broen, Senior & Corbett.
The minutes of the last Soiree Committee were read & confirmed.
It was resolved that Rev. P. Jones be asked to lend coals & curios
Several members provided objects of interest.
Mr. Stiles was thanked for getting adverts in local papers.
Signed Geo. B. Bisat
Page 17
An Ordinary Meeting of the Society was held in the New Science Room, Guild Hall on Wednesday January 14th, 1914
Present Mr. Crow (President) in the chair & 35 members & visitors.
Dr. C. L. Corbett delivered a lecture on “Children’s Eyes.”
By means of diagrams the ordinary errors(?) in eyes & their correction by lenses were shown & the lecturer then described the difficulties that are met with by medical inspectors of schools, owing to the ignorance, prejudice & mendacity of parents of children. Many anecdotes from her own experience were given & a final plea for more & better eye treatment was made.
A discussion followed & a vote of thanks to the lecturer was carried unanimously.
Signed Arthur Crow
Page 18
An Ordinary Meeting of the Society was held in the New Science Room, Guild Hall on Wednesday 11th February 1914
Present Mr. Crow (President) in the chair & 34 members & visitors.
Mr. A Jordan delivered a lecture entitled “A Peep into the New Stone Age.”
The lecture, which was illustrated by means of numerous specimens from the Jordan’s collection, dealt with the habits and customs of Neolithic man in Britain, during his advance in civilization from Paleolithic times & his gradual merging into the Bronze Age.
The accompanying report is from the Doncaster Chronicle
Signed Arthur Crow
[a newspaper cutting is pasted into the minute book at this point]
The New Stone Age
Scientific Society Lecture
There was a good attendance at a meeting of the Doncaster Scientific Society held at in the New Science Room, Guild Hall, on Wednesday night, and an excellent paper on “A Peep into the New Stone Age” was read by Mr. A. Jordan. The President (Mr. A. Crow) was in the chair.
Mr. Jordan said some countries today were in the stone age, and some, like our own, passed through the period so long ago that we cannot count the time in years. But the inhabitants of the new stone age had left them a very valuable heritage in the shape of a large number of implements which had been left on the land, which made a full, complete story of the Early Britons, carrying on the work of civilization. About a hundred years ago geology began to reveal very wonderful things concerning the long slow evolution of life. The implements took another meaning unto themselves, and began to form letters and chapters of a time people were very superstitious, and the common toad was considered to carry in its head a [priceless jewel. There was also a stone called the toad stone (the fossil tooth of an extinct animal) which had a supposed connection with the living toad and had the virtue of its jewel. Reed’s edition of Shakespeare, published in 1803, contained a note, showing how to recognise the genuine toad stone, which was, to hold it in front of a living toad so that he might see it, and if it were a right and true stone the toad would leap towards it and make as though he would snatch it.
In Yorkshire there was little proof that the old stone age man had made his home here. Relics of this age were generally found in river beds or in graves. With the new stone age everything was different. They could trace and see the improvements and progress of the people from age to age with great clearness down to the time of bronze and iron and the beginning of written history. They could not count in years the age of the new stone periods, but the implements the people had left them taught as their history.
The lecturer passed round a number of specimens of the new stone age which had been discovered in graves, including a stone oyster opener. Ladies’ hairpins, and prehistoric firelighters. There was proof, he said, of a large settlement of the people of this age at Frodingham. A small community lived at Hooton Roberts, but their implements were very poor, while the implements found at Frodingham were beautifully made.
A discussion followed the reading of the paper, and Mr. Jordan was cordially thanked.
Page 19
An Ordinary Meeting of the Society was held in the New Science Room, Guild Hall on Wednesday 3rd March 1914
Present Mr. Crow (President) in the chair & 50 members & visitors.
The minutes of the last meeting were read & confirmed.
The Reverend E. A. Woodruffe Peacock delivered a lecture on “The Ecology of Thorne Moors.”
Beginning with a definition of the meaning of the term “ecology”, the lecturer went on to describe the recent geological history of the marshland district in the lower Don Valley. From then he showed how the conditions brought about by the disappearance of the Ice Age, caused the present flora of the peat moor to come. First a pine oak forest was silted up & a growth of hypnum & sphagnum formed the peat. On the driest parts of the surface grew pteris, calluna & belula pubescens, while the wettest parts supported erica tetralix, seachezeria (?), eriphurus (?) etc. The gradual changes of conditions from this state, through drainage further modified the moor flora & latterly “warping” operations did fair to completely destroy the old natives.
The whole lecture was frequent with the deep knowledge of natural history, for whish Peacock is so well known & after a few questions had been asked & answered, a hearty vote of thanks to the lecturer, coupled with a hope that he would aver (?) once again, brought the meeting to a close.
Signed Arthur Crow.
Page 20
Committee Meeting held on the same date as above (3rd March 1914).
The following new members were passed, Messrs. Johnson, French, & Hunter.
Proposed that the assistant secretary be allowed to purchase an Attach-case.
Present Mr. Bisat, Mr. Baker, Mrs. Corbett & H. H. Corbett
Signed M. H. Stiles, chairman, pro tem.
Page 21
An Ordinary Meeting of the Society was held in the New Science Room, Guild Hall on Wednesday 11th March 1914
Present Mr. Crow (President) in the chair & 40 members & visitors.
The minutes of the last meeting were read & confirmed.
The following new members were elected viz. The Misses French, Hunter, & Johnston & Messrs. Beevers, & Stirron (?).
Sectional Reports
Zoology
Mr. E. Lee sent in a report of a Thrushes nest with 4 eggs on 7th March.
Two short papers were read. The first by M<rs. Baker on “Deep Sea Sounding & Dredging.”
In this the essayist recounted the doings of the “Challengers” expedition & the great additions to our knowledge of the condition & denizens of deep seas that ensued.
The second paper was by Mr. Stainton on “A Year with an Aquarium.”
In this essay the reader gave a most interesting account of his experiences in the management of a fresh water aquarium, together with the study of the habits & economy of the molluscs, fishes, etc. that he had under observation. Particularly attention had been paid to the freshwater Muriel & the 10 spined stickleback.
After some discussion of the papers, the thanks of the meeting were given to the essayists on the proposition of Mr. Crow.
Signed Arthur Crow.
Page 22
An Ordinary Meeting of the Society was held in the New Science Room, Guild Hall on Wednesday 25th March 1914
Present Mr. Crow (President) in the chair & 35 members & visitors.
The minutes of the last meeting were read & confirmed.
Sectional reports.
Botany
Mr. Corbett reported the early development of flower buds of elder at Scunthorpe March 19th.
Geology
Some specimens of coral from New Zealand were exhibited. The material was very similar to Whitby Jet & took a fine polish.
Physics
Mr. Stiles recorded the rainfall for the past month.
Zoology
Mr. Corbett exhibited S. edentulum formerly known as V. edentula from Sandal Beat
Mr. H. O. Brown delivered a lecture on “Forest Law”, of which the following extract from the Doncaster Chronicle for 27th March 1914 is a digest.
After some questions & discussion had been replied to, a vote of thanks was carried to the lecturer.
Sign Arthur Crow.
Page 23
[This page is left blank, presumably in anticipation of a newspaper cutting being inserted]
Page 24
An Ordinary Meeting of the Society was held in the New Science Room, Guild Hall on Wednesday April 8th, 1914
Present Mr. Crow (President) in the chair & 60 members & visitors.
The minutes of the last meeting were read & confirmed.
Professor Newstead D.Sc., F.R.S. delivered a lecture on “A Naturalist in Nyassa Land.”
The Professor gave graphic descriptions of his own personal experiences in Nyassa Land, where he was investigating the life history of the Tse-tse flies & other blood sucking & disease-carrying insects.
The lecture was profusely illustrated by excellent slides, many of which Mr. Newstead had himself prepared, and also by blackboard diagrams.
After some discussion, a vote of thanks was passed to the lecturer.
Signed G. W. Golledge. 14th October 1914
Page 25
Committee Meeting held at 9 Priory Place on Thursday, 16th April 1914.
Present Mr. Crow (President) in the chair, Mrs. Crow & Corbett, Messrs. Watson, Bisat, Baker, Golledge, Stiles, & Corbett.
The minutes of the last meeting were read & confirmed.
The draft report & statement of accounts for the past year was passed on the proposition of Mr. Stiles, seconded by Mrs. Crow
The following names for officeship for next year were suggested
President – Mr. Watson
Vice-presidents – Mrs. Crow, Mr. Stiles & Miss Nodes.
Committee – Mrs. Crow, Miss Whitehead, Messrs. Vaughan, Brown, Stainton & Beetham.
It was recommended that Rule 3 be altered so as to include 2 additional members of Committee & the assistant secretary, as officers of the Society.
It was recommended that rule 7 be altered so as to leave the election of new members to the committee.
Recorders. It was recommended that Mr. Wylde be made a recorder for Microscopy & Mr. Brown for Photography.
Signed Arthur Crow.
Page 26
Annual General Meeting
Ladies & Gentlemen,
Your committee in presenting this, the 34th Annual Report of your Society, feel that while you may on the whole congratulate yourselves on a satisfactory year, yet there is still much room for growth & improvement in the work to be done.
The Summer Programme of excursions & rambles was in many respects the best that we have had for some years. This in a great measure was due to the very fine weather of the summer of 1913, which enabled us to carry out the programme in its entirety. At all the excursions useful work was done by Archaeologists, Botanists, & Zoologists; resulting in many new records for the district.
We should like, in the future, to see a much larger attendance at excursions. It is somewhat remarkable that while the few members who do take part invariably express the pleasure that they derive, they seem unable to infect others with their enthusiasm. It is rather disappointing after the trouble that must be taken to arrange a ramble, to find only a few availing themselves of it.
It may come as a surprise to the members to learn that out of a total membership of about 160 only 36 members took part in any of the excursions & the average number present was only 12. That the places visited were full of interest the appended programme will testify.
Page 27
Page 28
The Winter Session was probably one of the best, so far as the calibre of the lecturers goes, in the whole history of the Society. But here again, we should like to see a large increase in the numbers present.
When men of such wide & deserved repute as lecturers as T. Sheppard, Prof. Garstang, Rev. E. A. Woodruffe Peacock & Prof. R. Newstead are included in the programme we should like to see audiences to fill the Guild Hall, whereas we only rarely fill the Science Room. An average attendance of 54 is not what a town with such a rapidly increasing population as ours can be proud of. Will members please try to remedy the defect complained of. Get more members into the Society & always keep the Society evenings free from other engagements. As was the case with the Summer programme, so with the winter; the lectures were carried out without any charge.
The programme is here appended
Page 29
[a section of the members’ card showing details of the winter programme is pasted into the minute book]
Winter Programme 1913-14
1913
Wed., Oct. 8 – Presidential Address – “The Dead and Undying Past” by A. Crow
Wed., Oct. 22* – “The lost towns of East Yorkshire” by T. Sheppard, F.G.S., F.S.A. Scot.
Wed., Nov. 5 – “The Old Horse Shoe” by A. E. Benny.
Wed., Nov. 19* – The Life-history of some Sea Fishes” by Prof. W. Garstang, M.A.
Wed., Dec. 3 – “Science and the Criminal” by S. Baker.
1914
Wed., Jan. 14 – “Children’s Eyes” by C. L. Corbett, M.B.
Thur., Jan. 29 – Conversazione
Wed., Feb. 11 – “A peep into the New Stone Age” by A. Jordan.
Wed., Feb. 25 – “The Ecology of Thorne Moore” by Rev. E. A. Woodruffe Peacock, F.L.S., etc.
Wed., Mar 11 – Short Essays.
Wed., Mar 25 – “Forest Laws” by H. O. Brown, L.L.B.
Wed., April 8* – “A Naturalist in Nyassaland” by Prof. R. Newstead, D. Sc.
Wed., April 22 – Annual General Meeting
Note * = Illustrated by Lantern Views
The Annual Conversazione which was held at the Mansion House on Han. 29th was very well attended, 228 members and guests being present. The general opinion expressed was that it was one of the best we have had. The collection of Yorkshire Brasses, lent by Mrs. Warde Aldam, greatly added to the interest of the evening.
Page 30 & 31
The recorders of the various sections the Society have put in reports of work done during the year as follows :-
Archaeology. Mr. Crow reports
Remains of early dwellings near Askern. At Sutton Common, about a mile out of Askern, some mounds exist that were at one time supposed to mark the site of a Roman camp. The ground is flat & marshy & there can be no doubt that within comparatively recent times the immediate neighbourhood was a fair sized marsh. The mounds are now 4ft. in height above the level of the land & are so irregular in plan as to make it quite obvious that they form no part of a Roman camp. But circular depressions surrounded by a low bank, with an opening as if for a doorway, in every case towards the open marsh exist; & also two or three rectangular spaces, all situated on the summit of the ridges.
A general survey of the whole remains indicate that they form the ruins of an early settlement placed on artificial mounds raised in a marsh. There is evidence that these circular depressions, some of which are very clearly marked, were once huts of about 14ft. diameter. In the Autumn of 1913 Mr. Corbett obtained the permission of the owner of the land, Major Anne, to make some explorations by digging.
The season was not suitable, but one afternoon’s work was accomplished, when the turf was removed from one of the larger huts, & a considerable quantity of the underlying soil removed. A mound of yellow clay was discovered, in this clay & under it, a fair quantity of decayed peaty wood, evidently the remains of thick branches of trees were found. Under the clay, a solid bed of sandy soil was found. The probability is that the hut was roofed with branches of trees covered with clay.
Nothing further was found but the exploration was preliminary only, & it is hoped that it may even be continued under more favourable climatic conditions, & that a more interesting report can then be made to the Society.
In this connection it may be mentioned that on the moors about a mile & a half above Robin Hood’s Bay there are some rectangular remains of hut dwellings grouped round a standing stone situated on a hillside. These are small, being about 6’ x 4’ internally, with the exception on one that is about 20’ x 12’. Near this larger dwelling a good specimen of a Neolithic Celt was picked up , & in the floor of one of the smaller a rudely chipped flint scraper was found, above what appeared to be a broken floor of small stones.
Page 32
Botany
Cryptogamic – Mr. Baker reports
On Saturday November 1st some members of the Society joined the Yorkshire Bryological Club in a ramble to Levitt Hagg, in search of the very rare moss Tortula cernua. This was found in abundance & many other species of Bryophytes were noted.
The aquatic liverwort Ricciella aquation has been found at Arksey by Mr. Stainton & at Thorne Moor by Mr. Corbett.
Phanerogamic – Miss Ross records the following rare plants found in the district during the year.
Anagallis tenella. Askern 7.8.13
Aquilegia vulgaris. Hampole 5.6.13
Aspidium thelypteris. Asker 7.8.13
Calamintha acinos. Roche Abbey 24.7.13
Carduus pratensis. Kilham. 23.7.13
Colchicum autumnale. Sandbeck. 9.9.13
Hippocrepis comosa. Wadworth 17.7.13
Milium effusum. Hampole 5.6.13
Oenanthe pimpineloides. Askern 7.8.13
Orobanche major. Harworth 17.7.13
Sium latifolium. Misson 19.7.13
Zellaria (?) glauca. Kilham 23.7.13
Page 33
Ecological Botany
A survey of Askern Mather & of Kilham Marsh was made during the summer & the result was published in “The Naturalist” for December 1913
Geology – Mr. Golledge reports
Sections exposed at Hexthorpe & Balby in digging the foundations of houses show glacial gravels, fine in upper parts & getting gradually coarser towards the bottom, where many large boulders occur.
The weathered strata in the Warmsworth cutting between Warmsworth Church & the Reservoir on the S.E. side of the bridge show crumpling due to the same stresses that caused the Edlington Fault.
Microscopy – Mr. Stiles reports
That he investigated four cases of suspected Anthrax during the summer & found the specific bacillus in each case.
General gatherings of diatomaceous materia;l still await examination.
Page 34
[a handwritten report is pasted on this page]
Physics Section
In connection with the local Rainfall for 1913 the remarkable storm of Sep. 17th stands out with unusual prominence. Indeed, the figures were so unusual that one of the officials from the British Rainfall Association came to Doncaster to investigate the conditions & to examine & verify the gauges responsible for the record.
The rain started at about 7.0 am & continued until 8 pm during which time 5.64” fell, O.3” fell during the night, making a total of 5,67£ to be credited to this remarkable storm. Certainly the heaviest which has been recorded in Doncaster & one of the heaviest for the whole country, apart from the mountainous districts.
The rainfall for the whole year was 23.29” which was nearly 8 ½“ less than that of 1912 & 1 ½” under the average of the last 7 years which is 24.94”
For the first 3 months of this year the rainfall has amounted to 3.36” only, a figure which was exceeded in London by the rainfall of March only. Indeed, compared with the rest of the country we have had an unusually small amount so far this year reminding us of the early part of 1911 when the figures were even lower, being 3.06”
Page 35
Zoology. Invertebrate – Mr. Stainton reports
Mollusca
| Planorbis albus | March 29 | Potteric Carr |
| Acroloxus lacustris | May 6 | Wheatley Ponds |
| Sphaerium nivicola | May 6 | Wheatley Ponds |
| Arion ater v brumen (?) | May 9 | Edlington Wood |
| Ancylus fluviatilis | June 14 | River Went |
| Anodonta cygnea (5 1/2”) | August 30 | Wheatley Ponds |
| Unio pictorum | August 30 | Wheatley Ponds |
| Unio tumidus v. pondemra (?) & ovalis | Wheatley Ponds | |
| Dreissena polymorpha | Nov | Scrooby |
| Jeminia cylindracea | Feb 16 | Edlington Wood |
| Helicella caperata | March 19 | Scawthorpe |
| Clausilia bidentata | March 19 | Scawthorpe |
| Limnaea truncatula | March 19 | Scawthorpe |
| Arion hortensis | March 19 | Scawthorpe |
| Arion minimus | March 19 | Scawthorpe |
| Vitrea pura | April 14 | Wheatley |
| Zonitoides nitidus | April 14 | Wheatley |
| Euconulus fulvus | April 14 | Wheatley |
| Ena obscura | April 13 | Edlington |
| Vitrea rogersi | April 13 | Edlington |
| To this list may be added | ||
| Paludestricia juitansii (?) | Went | |
| Spharaleum edeululum (?) | Sandal Beat | |
Page 36
Insecta – Mr. Corbett reports
The past season was a remarkably bad one for insects.
Coleoptera were few in both species & numbers. Very few additions to the local list were made & for the first time since 1903 we have made no additions to the Yorkshire list. The only local additions were
Helophorus burrcollis (?) – Wentdale
Homalota hepatica – Wheatley Wood
Lepidoptera were equally scarce. This was particularly noticeable with the common white butterflies, hardly any of which were to be seen. The various species of winter moths, the larvae of which have, for the last three years, stripped the trees in Sanda; Beat, were not nearly so abundant & doubtless the bands of sticky stuff placed on the tree trunks will get credit for which they do not deserve.
Page 37
Zoology Inverts – Mr. John Bentham reports
Summer Migrants earliest date of arrival
| 25 March | Wheatear |
| 9 April | Chiff-chaff |
| 12 April | Willow Warbler |
| 15 April | Swallow, Sand Martin |
| 21 April | Cuckoo, Redstart, Tree Pipit |
| 24 April | Nightingale |
| 27 April | Whitethroat |
| 30 April | Reed Warbler |
| 1 May | Turtle Dove, Swift |
| 4 May | Nightjar, Whinchat |
| 10 May | Sedge Warbler |
| 11 May | Spotted Flycatcher |
| 15 May | Corn Crake, Blackcap |
Fieldfares were late in leaving, several small flocks being seen on April 15th
Page 38
Numerically, the Society is very much where it was last year, the total membership being163 against 161 last year. There have been many changes, 27 new members joining and 25 leaving.
There has been one volume added to the library, “The Independent Dictionary”.
Financially, we are in a sound & healthy condition as the Statement of Accounts attached will show.
Signed Arthur Crow
[a sheet containing the Statement of Accounts is pasted into the minute book at this point]
Doncaster Scientific Society
Annual Statement of Accounts
Session 1913-14
| Receipts | Payments | ||
| Cash in hand April 1913 | 3 8 8 | Stamps, Post cards etc. | 5 8 |
| Cash in Bank April 1913 | 7 7 6 | Printers & Stationers | |
| Bank Interest 1913 | 2 9 | Henderson | 2 8 6 |
| Bisat | 3 0 6 | ||
| Subscriptions | Lantern | 1 13 | |
| 1911-12 (5) 17-6 | |||
| 1912-13 (3) 10-0 | Lecturer’s expenses | ||
| 1913-14 (128) 21- 7- 0 | 26 12 0 | Sheppard | 5 0 |
| Benny | 5 9 | ||
| Garstang | 5 0 | ||
| Corbett | 3 0 | ||
| Woodruff Peacock | 29 0 | ||
| Hire of Room | 1 6 | ||
| Attendance | 5 0 | ||
| Subscription to other Societies | |||
| Selborne | 5 0 | ||
| Y. N. U. | 1 13 10 | ||
| Footpath Preservation | 5 0 | ||
| Sundries | |||
| Attache Case | 4 6 | ||
| Note | Stamp wetter | 6 | |
| Subscription still due (40) | Tea (Darley) | 9 | |
| 1911-12 (1) | Tea (Hooton Pagnell) | 2 6 | |
| 1912-13 (14) | |||
| 1913-14 (25) | Convesazione | 7 0 8 | |
| Cash in Hand April 19th | 7 10 3 | ||
| Cash in Bank April 19th | 2 13 9 | ||
| 37 10 1 | 37 10 1 |
Page 39
Committee Meeting held at 9 Priory Place 28 April 1914
Present Mr. Crow (ex-President) in the chair, Mrs. Crow, Mrs. Corbett, Miss Whitehead & Messrs. Brown, Bisat, Stainton, Golledge, Warson, & Corbett
The question of devoting special attention to the investigation of some particular district, during the summer session, was discussed & it was decided that the Loversall Valley & Rossington Carr together with the new Colliery at Rossington be selected for special work & that three of the summer rambles be held in this district.
Signed Rob. Weston
Page 40
Committee Meeting held at 9 Priory Place 27 August 1914
Present Mr. Watson, Mr. & Mrs. Crow, Miss Whitehead, Messrs. Stainton, Brown, Kirby, Golledge, Stiles, Corbett & Mrs. Corbett
The following new members were elected – Miss Fench, Miss Capper, & Mr. Williams
The winter programme was discussed, & it was decided to only utilize our own members for papers & lectures.
Offers were received from Mr. Crow, Mr. Stainton, Mr. Corbett, Mr. Watson, Mr. Kirby, Mr. Greenslade, Rev. Jennings, & other names suggested were Miss Capper, Mr. Wylde, Mr. Fowler, Mr. F. J. Clarke, & Mr. Tomlinson
The following dates were fixed.
Oct 14 – Presidential Address Mr. Watson
Oct 28 – H. H. C.
Nov 11 – Evolution & Palaeontology Miss Capper
Nov 25 – Apiculture Rev. F. S. Jennings
Dec 9 – Birdland with the camera Mr. Fowler
Jan 25
Feb 8 – Folklore Mr. Greenslade
Feb 22
Mar 8
Mar 22
Apr 28 – Annual Meeting
Signed H. Oswald Brown.
Page 41
The first Ordinary Meeting of the Winter Session 1914-15 was held in the New Science Room, Guild Hall on Wednesday October [14th 1914]
Present Mr. Golledge (Vice-President) in the chair & 30 members & visitors.
In the unavoidable absence of the President, his presidential address on “Smoke” was read by the Hon. Sec. Numerous diagrams & views were shown by the lantern, but as they were not all in the places were they should have been their effect at times was more amusing than instructive,
At the conclusion of the paper a vote of thanks was passed to the President (Mr. Watson) for preparing his excellent address, & to the secretary for reading it.
The annexed resume of the paper is taken from “The Doncaster Chronicle” 22 October 1914.
Signed Arthur Crow.
[a newspaper cutting is pasted into the minute book at this point]
Concerning Smoke
Interesting Lecture by Doncaster Gas Engineer.
The first meeting of the Doncaster Scientific Society was held last week, when the President (Mr. R. Watson), the Doncaster Corporation Gas Work’s Manager, gave his presidential address, his subject being “Smoke.” Mr. Watson remarked upon the change which had taken place in Doncaster since Dr. Miller, 100 years ago, referred to its salubrious air and placed it in the front rank as a most desirable place to reside in. Since then factories and works had been, and were being, established in Doncaster, and the whole place was encircled by collieries of magnitude.
Natural beauty was still found in the district, but unhappily was decreasing in extent if not in character. They might be prepared, he said, for the industrial growth of the town, but there was no reason why they should accept too readily the smoke and its concomitants which were once regarded as inseparable from manufacturing interests. Mr. Watson went on to refer to experiments which had been carried out with a niew to reducing the smoke nuisance and said, as far as they knew, no one seriously complained of the smoke nuisance until coal began to be used as household fuel, and this was probably during the Ango-Saxon period, or about 852. He mentioned that in 1306 Parliament petitioned the King to prohibit the use of coal, but although a proclamation was issued, the higher price of wood brought about the general use of coal.
Then inventors began to turn their attention to the question, and the read of James Watt in 1785 introduced a smoke abatement apparatus, and of Robertson in 18oo trying a mechanical stoker. A series of Parliamentary inquiries followed, but it was not until 24 years later that a select committee recommended the introduction of a Bill prohibiting the production of smoke. Other Acts followed, but it was remarkable that no more than ten per sent of the local authorities in the United Kingdom administered the smoke Law as it stood, and in only 25 towns were there special smoke inspectors.
Mr. Watson referred to the efforts of the Smoke Abatement Society, and said the domestic chimney was looked upon as the greatest offender in smoke production, and it was computed that 39 household chimneys were equal to one factory shaft.
Having dealt with the effect of smoke on buildings, metals and vegetation, he added that the fogs in towns were to a great extent preventable or at least reduceable, as was proved by the fact that Paris and other places experienced fogs infrequently because of their relatively small smoke production. He said that in view of Doncaster’s industrial development it would be useful if records of the value of soot and sunshine were kept, and also advocated the employment of methods to secure the perfect combustion fuels. With regards to dwelling-houses he advocated an improvement in grates to allow a rational supply of air to the fuel to bring about its proper combustion.
Page 42
An Ordinary Meeting of the Society was held in the New Science Room, Guild Hall on Wednesday October 28th 1914.
Present Mr. Crow (Vice-President) in the chair & 35 members & visitors.
Sectional Reports
Archaeology – Mr. Corbett reported that the excavations on the site of the Elephant Hotel were disappointing. Much fragmentary pottery was found but only two vessels, one Roman & one Medieval were sufficiently complete for restoration.
The Rev. T. G. F. Jennings delivered a lecture on Apiculture.
The lecture had a large amount of bee-keeping material on exhibition & gave many interesting statements with regard to the history, natural history, chemical & economic of apiculture.
A vote of thanks was unanimously given to the lecturer.
Signed M. H. Stiles, chairman.
Page 43 and page 44.
[These two pages are left blank]
Page 45
An Ordinary meeting of the society was held in the New Science Room, Guild Hall on Wednesday Nov. 9th 1914.
Present Mr. Stiles (V.P.) in the chair & about 35 members & visitors.
The minutes of the last meeting were read & confirmed.
Sectional Reports
Geology
Mr. Stiles exhibited & described some micro-photos of Oolite limestone from different localities. The stones from which the photographs were taken were samples submitted for restoration purposes in the Parish Church.
Physics
Mr. Stiles gave some details of the rainfall for the year so far as it had gone. The early part of the year was very dry, only 6.7” falling in six months. July had some very heavy falls & the later months were gradually pulling up the average.
Mr. Stiles also gave some information on the transit of Mercury which he had observed.
Zoology
The Hon. Sec. read a letter from Mr. E. Lee announcing the presence of a Short eared owl (Asio accipterimus) near Brodsworth.
Miss Capper read a paper entitled “Evolution and Palaeontology”
Quoting the hackneyed “imperfection of the Geological record”, the essayist proceeded to show that in many cases the “record” was not so “imperfect” as was often supposed to be the case. And that although many gaps occurred in the phylogenic history, yet those preserved to us in the rocks were in some cases so remarkable as to leave no room for doubt as to their line od descent of some plants or animals.
The ancestry of birds from reptiles was clearly shown in the remarkable bird-reptile or reptile bird Archaeoplengn [?]. The line towards our modern birds being carried on through the cretaceous toothed birds Hesperornis & Odonterius.
The pedigree of the Horse is traceable almost without a break from the little Hyracotherium to the true horse.
In paleobotany again the gradual development of seed plants from heterosporous cryptogams was most convincing & in more recent geological times the evolution of angiosperms from plants related to Zamia carried on the story.
In short, the study of palaeontology never contradicts & often strongly supports the doctrine of evolution.
A vote of thanks to the essayist concluded the meeting.
Signed Rob Wilson
Page 46a
.