Doncaster Scientific Society
Minute Book 1901 – 1906
May 1st, 1901
Annual General Meeting 1901
The Annual General Meeting for the reading of the report & election of officers, was held at the county Court Room, Guild Hall on Wednesday May 1st 1901.
Mr. Culpin (the retiring President) occupied the chair & there were present 19 other members.
The 22nd Annual Report was read by the Hon. Sec. Mr. H. H. Corbett as follows.
Ladies & Gentlemen
Your committee have pleasure in submitting the following report of the progress of your society during the past session.
In some respects, the session has differed from those of past years, & this will affect the report here submitted.
Firstly. In consequence of the alteration in the Rules made at the last General Meeting, the present Session, instead of embracing the whole year, includes only the six months from October 1900 to April 1901.
Consequently, the reports from the various sections are not so full as usual; the summer months being those in which the “field work” of the society is chiefly done.
Secondly, owing to several unpreventable causes, the printed programme issued had to undergo considerable alteration. The winter meetings being as follows.
Session 1900-1901
1900
Wed. Oct 10 – Annual General Meeting
Wed. Oct 24 – Special General Meeting
Wed. Oct 24 – “What is a Species” by H. H. Corbett, M.R.C.S.
Wed. Nov 14 – “Mushrooms & Toadstools” by T. Gibbs (Sheffield)
Wed. Nov 28 – “The Structure of Agates” by E. Moor
Wed. Dec 12 – Short Essays, description & exhibition of objects etc.
1901
Wed. Jan 23 – “Arsenic in Beer, its source & its detection” by M. H. Stiles, F.R.M.S.
Wed. Feb 13 – “Early Man in East Yorkshire” by T. Sheppard, F.G.S. (Hull)
Thur. Feb 28 – Conversatzione at the Mansion House
Wed. Mar 13 – “The Furze Plant, with some notes on the origin & function of leaves” by G. Gledhill and
“Topographical Botany of Doncaster” by H. H. Corbett, M.R.C.S.
Wed. Mar 27 – “Our Local Scenery” by H. Culpin
Wed. Apr 10 – “Electricity supplied from a Central Source” by C. A. L. Prussman.
It is a matter for congratulation that notwithstanding the changes in the programme, entailing a change of rendezvous on two occasions, the average attendance at lectures has been higher than ever, being 30.5, compared with 26 last year and 26.7 (the highest former record) in 1897-98.
The subject matter of the Winter Programme has been very varied; the essays have been quite up to the previous standard of excellence & the discussions following the readings have been better sustained than heretofore. Altogether, the session 1900-01 has been one of the best in the history of the society.
As has been already suggested, the change in the date of the Annual Meeting greatly affects the Sectorial work. Nevertheless, many interesting reports have been submitted, of which the following form a short synopsis.
Archaeology
Mr. Jordan has shown numerous flint neoliths, collected near Bridlington. And, attention has been called to the apparently old excavations near Palmer Street.
Botany
Dr. Finnesmore has offered assistance in the compilation of a bit of the Wild Flowers of the district, & it is hoped that the local mosses will be catalogued by him. With Mr. Stiles recording Diatoms & Dromiids, Mr. Corbett, phanerogams & vascular cryptogams, we shall be in a fair way to get the local florala completed. Volunteers for Fungi & Algae would be greatly welcomed.
Geology
The solution of the question suggested by the local gravels, Boulder-clays, Triassic, & Permian Rocks still occupy our small band of Geologists.
Zoology
Some interesting exhibits in this section have been made, notably, a Suricata (Suricata tetradactyla) from the Transvaal, by Mr. Thomas; & a series of the Deaths Head Moth (Acherontia atropos) bred from local larvae, by Mr. Corbett.
Microscopy
The work done in this section has referred chiefly to the Alga flora of the district. Of the Diatomacea a fairly representative list was published in the Naturalist, Nov. 1900.1 This list included 121 spp. & 42 vars., & gave the source of every specimine. Although far from complete, as a first general list for the neighbourhood must be, it is hoped that it will form a basis for further extension. Nearly every fresh gathering furnishes additions.
During the last summer some observations were made on the conjunction of Spirogyra of which some interesting micro-photographs were secured.
More recently, a gathering of Vaucheria in fructification(?) has been examined. The reproduction system in the genus may be well seen by possessors of microscopes during the spring.
It is with much satisfaction that we are able to state that the Museum is now open to the public on Thursday afternoons & evening during the winter. The attendance has been very satisfactory, the number of visitors on the open days from March 7th to April 25th being 421, & an average of more than 52 each day.
The financial state of the society will be seen from the accompanying balance sheet.
The following were elected officers of the society for 1901-2
President – S. Edgar, J.P.
Vice-presidents – H. Culpin & A. Jordan.
Committee – H. Thomas, M. H. Stiles, & E. Gledhill.
Hon. Sec. & Treasurer – H. H. Corbett.
Signed M. H. Stiles, chairman.
Notes
1. “List of Diatoms Found near Doncaster” by M. H. Stiles, F.R.M.S.
Doncaster Scientific Society
Balance Sheet 1900-01
| Receipts | Expenditure | ||
| Subscriptions | Due Treasurer from 1899-00 | 6 11 | |
| 1897-98 (1) – 3/6 | Deed Box (Farr) | 1 3 0 | |
| 1898-99 (2) – 7/0 | Stamps 9 x 5/- + 1 x 7/-6 | 2 12 6 | |
| 1899-1900 (10) – £1 15 0 | Sundries – Ink & envelopes | 5 11 | |
| 1900-01 (67) – £11 14 6 | Lecturer’s expenses | 9 9 | |
| 1901-02 (6) £1 1 0 | Hire of Room | 1 17 0 | |
| £15 1 0 | Lantern expenses 4 x 2/-6 | 10 0 | |
| Printing etc. | |||
| Henderson – £2 | |||
| Bisat – £1:2:0 | |||
| Hepworth – 19/- | 4 1 0 | ||
| Subs to Y.N.U. (2 yrs) | 10 0 | ||
| Mic. Slide cabinet | 2 2 0 | ||
| Expenses of Conversatzione | 17 10 0 | ||
| Caretaker of Guild Hall | 5 0 | ||
| Balance in Bank 1st Sept 1900 | 21 7 4 | Donation to Museum | 5 0 0 |
| Interest to date | 13 1 | Balance in Bank | 17 0 5 |
| 37 1 5 | 37 1 5 |
Audited & found correct 24/3/1902 Signed W. E. Lister
May 8th, 1901
Committee Meeting held at 9 Priory Place 8th May 1901
Present – Mr. Edgar (President) in the chair, Mrs Corbett & Messrs. Thomas, Culpin, Jordan, Bellamy, Gledhill, Cuttriss, & Corbett
The minutes of the last committee meeting were read & confirmed.
The Excursion Programme for the Summer Session was passed.
It was resolved that the letter suggesting an excursion to Blythe on the occasion of a Sale of Work at the Church be laid upon the table.
Mr. Bellamy brought forward a discussion upon an attempt by “Kodac Limited” to form a trade monopoly. The matter was adjourned.
It was resolved that a list of members be printed & circulated among members, along with the Summer Programme.
Signed M. H. Stiles (Chairman)
Committee Meeting held at 9 Priory Place 5th June 1901
Present – Mr. Stiles in the chair, Mrs. Corbett, & Messrs. Jordan & Corbett.
The minutes of the last committee meeting were read & confirmed.
It was proposed by Mr. Stiles, seconded by Mr. Jordan & carried mem. Con.
“That the funds of the Society be deposited in the Post Office Savings Bank, & that the name of the Hon. Sec. & Treasurer be given as the person empowered to make draughts.”
The following nominations for membership were approved
Mrs. Golledge, Rev. R. A. Gatty, Messrs. Johnson, Robinson & Bentley
Signed Thos. Cuttriss, June 24, 1901
Committee Meeting held at 9 Priory Place 26/6/01
Present – Mr. Cuttriss in the chair, Mrs. Corbett & Messrs. Clarkson, Stiles, & Corbett.
The minutes of the last committee meeting were read & confirmed.
The Post Office Savings Bank having refused to allow the Society to open an a/c with them, it was proposed by Mr. Stiles, seconded by Mr. Clarkson, “That the funds of the Society be deposited in the Yorkshire Penny Bank, & that the Hon. Sec. be empowered to make draughts when necessary.”
The nomination of Mr. O. B. Rattenbury was approved.
Signed Saml. Edgar.
Committee Meeting held at 9 Priory Place 3/7/01
Present – Mr. Edgar (President) in the chair, Mrs. Corbett & Messrs. Stiles, Clarkson, Jordan, Gledhill, Cuttriss, Culpin, & Thomas.
The minutes of the last committee meeting were read & confirmed.
It was proposed by Mrs. Corbett & seconded by Mr. Clarkson & carried. That a sub-committee be appointed to try to arrange for a public lecture, by some well known lecturer, during the Winter Session.
Proposed & carried, that the sub-committee consist of Messrs, Jordan, Clarkson & Corbett.
Proposed by Mr. Gledhill & seconded by Mr. Culpin & carried. That the Hon. Sec. make arrangements for a course of not more than four lectures, on Cerguate subjects, to be included in the Winter Programme.
Signed Saml. Edgar.
Committee Meeting held at 9 Priory Place 23/9/01
Present – Mr. Edgar (President) in the chair, Mrs. Corbett & Messrs. Thomas, Stiles, Culpin, Jordan, Bellamy, Gledhill, & Corbett.
The minutes of the last committee meeting were read & confirmed.
It was proposed by Mr. Culpin seconded by Mr. Jordan & carried unanimously, that Dr. Sorby be asked to deliver a lecture before the Society on Feb. 5th, 1902.
It was proposed by Mr. Thomas, seconded by Mr. Stiles, That the subject of Dr. Sorby’s lecture be “English Church Architecture from the Romano-British to the Norman Period.”
An amendment was proposed by Mr. Culpin & seconded by Mr. Corbett, that the subject of the Lecture be “The Microscopical Structure of Rocks & Minerals.”
The amendment was carried.
It was proposed by Mr. Gledhill, seconded by Mr. Bellamy & carried unanimously, that Mrs. Manning of Sheffield be asked to give a lecture on “Insectivorous Plants.”
The following dates were proposed for the coming session.
Presidential Address Oct 9th, 1901
Mrs. Manning’s lecture Nov. 213th, 1901
Conversatzione Jan. 23rd, 1902
The Hon. Sec. was instructed to get papers from Mr. Ballan on Architecture, & Mr. Wild on Electric Tramways.
Mr. Bellamy offered a lecture on Stereoscopic Photography.
The following names were submitted for membership.
Miss Wilson & Messrs. Wilson, Eluris, Grace, Ballan, Wild, & the headmaster of the Grammer School
Signed M. H. Stiles.
Winter Session 1901-02
Oct 9, 1901
The first meeting of the session was held at the Mansion House on Wednesday October 9th, 1901
Present – Mr. Edgar (President) in the chair & 34 members & visitors.
Sectional Reports
Archaeology
Mr. Jordan reported that at the Brugh excursion of the Y.N.U. a Roman Spear & a deer antler were discovered.
Botany
Mr. Corbett reported many interesting additions to the local Herbarium, made during the year, several of these being new to V.C.63 among which were the following.
Rubus argentatus, Rubus hystrix, Potamogeton friesii & Potamogeton coloratus.
Geology
Mr. Culpin reported that at the Y.N.U. meeting held at Doncaster on 26/9/01 Mr. Bingley took several interesting geological photographs, copies of which have been presented to our society.
Microscopy
Mr. Stiles reported the finding of Volvox globator at Cusworth & Roche Abbey
The following delegates were elected to attend the Annual Meeting of the Y.N.U. at Wakefield, viz. Messrs. Culpin, Clarkson & Gledhill.
The following new members were elected.
Miss Wilton & Messrs. Elwiss, Wilson, Grace & Ballan.
Mr. Edgar then delivered the Presidential Address.
The accompanying digest is from the Doncaster Gazette.
Education Matters in Doncaster
Reminiscences and Criticisms by Councillor Edgar, J.P.
The first meeting of the Scientific Society for the present winter session, was held at the Mansion House on the 9th inst., when the President, Councillor S. Edgar, J.P., delivered his inaugural address on popular education.
After a few introductory remarks, he said: – I appear before you as an adviser and sympathizer in the great work of education, and to press its importance from a national and individual point of view. It is necessary that I should notice the struggle which led up to our system of national education, and the effects of that struggle in promoting the cause of voluntary and co-operative education by the establishment of numberless societies similar to our own. The education of the masses is an idea that has dawned late upon the world. The ruling classes in this country had always an appreciation of the value of knowledge, and were careful to keep it to themselves, the Universities being only open to the wealthy and to members of the Established Church. The battle for national education in England during the first half of the 19th Century was a terrible uphill fight. Many interests were arrayed against it, both religious and commercial.
The great impetus given to our manufactories by the improvement in machinery called forth a huge amount of child-labour. And to this day it is remembered against the manufacturers that they opposed the Factory Acts, which partially relieved poor children from bondage. But the master difficulty was, and is yet, the religious difficulty. Both State Church and Dissent professed that the people should be educated bur each insisted that their own dogmas should be taught. The extension of the franchise in the boroughs sent a majority into Parliament determined upon passing a measure for national education, and by the perseverance and skill of Mr. Forster a Bill was passed.
Long before the Education Bill became Law, there had been a great movement for adult co-operative education, and under the guidance of Brougham, Erskine, and others, the London Mechanics Institute was established. This was only the beginning of a great number of similar institutions throughout the land. In vain did the Church decry these “hot-beds of schism and secular knowledge.” Once started the people gladly received the learning that could be gained from participating in these Institutes, etc. From these have evolved such societies as ours.
There have been others in Doncaster in past years, and a sketch of the history of two of these will conclude my address. The first historical order was the Doncaster Lyceum. I believe it was founded in the year 1836 by a committee of influential gentlemen. How long it flourished I am unable to say with certainty. I think it is probable it existed some nine or ten years. It was well supported by some of the gentry and tradesmen of the town and neighborhood. Their lectures were held monthly in the new concert room, and were mostly well attended, I believe there was a strong desire amongst members to have the use of the Mansion House for their meetings. I gather this from the report of a lecture by Dr. Lankester, of Campsall. His subject was “The Animal Kingdom.” The lecture was delivered in the room of the Lyceum, and only subscribers could be admitted because of the smallness of the premises, The lecturer regrated that the Town Council should still persist in refusing the use of the Mansion House to such a useful institution, which he said was like casting a slight, if not an insult, on such a respectable portion of the inhabitants as those composing the members of so useful an institution as the Lyceum. On the question of raising funds for building premises for the Lyceum, I gather from a reported speech of the secretary that 337 members’ names had been entered on their books since they began, and the then present number in the year 1838 of subscribing members was 258, of whom 64 were ladies.
At that time they had also a reading room, a library, and museum, and the Society was altogether in a very flourishing condition, so much so that local papers, in reporting the proceedings, always alluded to the Lyceum as “this respectable society.” From what I glean of its history I am afraid it was just a little too respectable to ensure any very lengthened longevity. Like other similar institutions it had its ups and downs. At first if gave very brilliant promise of success, and had the support and patronage of many of the leading townsmen. I have not been able to gather ant positive information as to its decay and final collapse. From an incident which occurred in its history, I fear it was very straight-laced in its orthodoxy. A young gentleman of the name Thorold Wood, from Campsall Hall, read a paper on Phrenology, in which he ventured some unconventional ideas regarding spirit matter, and fatalism. The lecture was able, but the discussion which followed the paper was anything by harmonious, and the treatment he received was not quite respectful, especially from such a respectable society. I don’t know whether the Society quite recovered itself from the shock. But I must leave the subject of the fortunes of the Lyceum to some future investigator, and those of my hearers who would wish to know more about them should consult the files of the “Doncaster Gazette” I the Reference Room of the Free Library.
The Lyceum had run its career before I knew anything about Doncaster, except as a town famous for race-horses and whose patron saint was “St. Leger.” But I can not close this paper without mentioning Doncaster Philosophical Society, with which I was personally connected, and also to which I was very much indebted for the opportunity it afforded me for acquiring much mental improvement and general information. During the twelve years of its existence I was a member and subscriber. It was established on the 27th July 1863. Its promoters held a preliminary meeting in one of the committee rooms of the Plant Railway works. Mr. George Raynor was in the chair, and there were present Frederick Parker, David Small, W. S. Smith, and several others. Mr. John Hawley was appointed president, and all through the existence of the Society was most indefatigable in the promotion of its interests. The Philosophical Society held its meetings in the Old County Court Room of the Guild Hall, It had a very wide circle of subjects, and long, varied, and interesting were the papers which were read and discussed by the members. Every real and imaginable phase of science. Literature, history, and economics was turned inside out and upside down, and investigated with keen and delightful earnestness. Nothing was tabooed accept
Party politics and Theology – the two dangerous rocks which, alas, have proved so fatal to so many laudable enterprises, and which all societies have found it so difficult to steer safely by, because they naturally impinge on nearly every subject interesting to humanity; and they will ever remain a danger until mankind learn to hear both sides of a subject without prejudice or intolerance. But with all the short-comings of the old Philosophical Society, I, who for twelve years participated in all its many advantages, would be ungrateful indeed if I were not to confess my deepest gratitude to that now defunct institution, which gave to me and many of my fellow townsmen the opportunity of much mental improvement.
Alas, the majority of its old members have now crossed that bourne from whence no traveler returns. I count only about a dozen who are left, five of whom are to-day members of the Town Council. Two have passed the Mayoral chair, and three have seats on the Borough Bench of Magistrates. All of these confess their gratitude to the old Alma Mater which gave them the mental stimulus to vault the barriers of class and share in the honour of administering public business.
In now coming to our own Society, which I look upon as the heir-at-law to all the others which have precede it, I congratulate you in falling into so great a heritage, to all the advancement which past ages have made you are the heirs and legal successors, but I would advise that we should not be content with the spoils others have won, but take what they have bequeathed merely as stepping-stones to higher heights of intellectual advancement.
Nature has yet unnumbered secrets to surrender to investigators, the value of which no human mind is able to appraise, and the value of which, great as they may be, do not outweigh the pleasures of research and the training which that research gives to the fibre of the human mind. A great German savant once gave expression to this thought in this way; If God were to offer him in one hand the choice of all knowledge, or in the other hand only the opportunity and ability of research, he should prefer the latter. But no great research can be made without proper opportunity and efficient appliances. The more come-at-able these advantages are the greater will be the chances to progress.
One of the greatest advantages in the centre of any important community is a good museum. In this matter, after much cogitation and wearisome delay. This Borough is now in possession of at least the nucleus of a museum. The Corporation has taken a first step in the matter by providing a room with useful fittings, though not quite adequate to safely encase all the valuable specimens which already are packed within the walls of the little room. It is wonderful how quickly these stores of interesting specimens have accumulated. Most of them are gratuitous presentations from their owners, the most valuable of which is the one presented by the family of the late Mr. John Hawley. This valuable acquisition will preserve the memory of the townsman who was through life an ardent student of Nature and a true friend to the cause of universal education. I trust our Borough will not rest content merely taking this first step but will ere long provide the inhabitants with a building worthy of the town and worthy of the home of art and science.
Ladies and Gentlemen, I am not here to-night as a teacher; I am only a fellow-student, a humble gleaner in the great field of Nature. I can bring not a sheaf, hardly a straw, at most only one grain, and that one grain of encouragement to those already better equipped for the work. Happily, in the present day there is little need to sing dithyrambs to the glory of science and art. Their importance is granted on all hands, and modern nations are contending with each other for the prizes they award. These awards with some are greater military adroitness in producing engines of destruction, with others greater commercial prosperity and social well-being. With the true humanitarian, the great reward is to take the individual in the extension of greater social happiness in the enlargement of the mind, in rising to higher zones of thought; to feel within himself that the human mind hath a principle within itself of perpetual growth. That it is essentially diffusive and made for progress. When such a one treads the geological departments of a museum, he can fancy he hears voices coming from the shores of the dead prehistoric past and vibrating on the shores of the living present, proclaiming the glory of the eternal Restorer, which is ever giving to past life a higher resurrection.
Oct 23rd 1901
An Ordinary Meeting of the Society was held in the County Court Room, Guild Hall on Wednesday Oct 23rd.
Present – Mr. Culpin in the chair & 37 members & visitors.
The minutes of the last meeting were confirmed subject to the addition to them of a resume of Mr. Edgar’s lecture.
Sectional Reports
Archaeology.
Mr. Mapleton exhibited a photograph of the old house in Church Street, recently exposed during alterations to the Grey Hound Inn.
Geology
Mr. Moor exhibited & made remarks upon some specimens of Buccia (?) from Levitt Hagg.
It was announced that at the Annual Meeting of the Y.N.U. Mr. Corbett had been placed upon the Geological Photographs Committee, & he will be glad of help from local photographers.
Zoology
Mr. Gledhill exhibited a Grass Snake recently caught at Sandall, & presented by him to the Museum.
Botany
Mr. Stiles exhibited a curious group of potatoes grown within the remains of an old partially decayed tuber.
Mr. Fairly of Barnsley then delivered his lecture entitled “Why we breathe & how.”
The lecture, which was illustrated by diagrams, was a most interesting & lucid exposition of the phenomena of respiration, & was much enjoyed by the audience.
A discussion followed in which Messrs. Mapleton, Greenslade, Athron, & Moor took part.
A hearty vote of thanks to the lecturer was given on the proposition of Mr. Corbett & seconded by Mr. Stiles.
The following new member was elected. Mr. Wild.
Signed H. Culpin. 13.11.01
Nov. 7th, 1901
A committee Meeting was held at 9 Priory Place on Nov. 7th 1901.
Present – Mr. Stiles in the chair, Mrs. Corbett & Messrs. Bellamy, Clarkson, Culpin, Cuttriss & Corbett.
The minutes of the last committee meeting were read & confirmed.
The following were nominated for membership. Miss F. Shorland & Messrs. Wombell, Jubb, Hunt, Cresbie, & Vaughan.
For the “Short Essay Evening”
Mr. Stiles promised a demonstration of “a new method of illuminating microscopic objects”
Mr. Culpin promised an essay on “Averages”.
Signed Alma Jordan
Nov 13th, 1901
An Ordinary Meeting of the Society was held at the County Court Room, Guild Hall, on Wednesday Nov. 13th, 1901.
Present- Mr. Culpin in the chair & 38 members & visitors….
The minutes of the last meeting were read & confirmed.
Mrs. Manning of Sheffield then delivered a lecture on “Insectivorous Plants”
The lecture, which was illustrated by numerous excellent diagrams, began with a short historical sketch of the science of botany. Plants were first studied chiefly on account of their medical or supposed medical virtues. The old Herbalist’s believed in the law of “signatures”. That is to say, plants which in any way suggested similarity to the different organs of the human body were supposed to have a beneficial effect upon derangements of such organs. Of these, Liver-wort (Hepatica) & Lung-wort (Pulmonaria) are familiar examples.
After this followed the classificatory period of Botany, when the whole science consisted of arranging, defining & naming species. It is only comparatively lately that the third period of Botanical Science has come. This may be termed Phylosophical [sic] Botany, & consists of a study of the why, & how of reputable life.
Among the most interesting & wonderful discoveries of this new botany is the existence of certain plants that have taken to carnivorous habit & have developed specialized organs for the purpose of snaring & digesting minute animals. Although one of these plants, the Venus Flytrap was known to Linus, he did not recognise the fact that the catching of flies was a necessary part of the plants’ economy but concluded it was merely a curious freak of nature. Darwin’s masterly & painstaking experiments on Drosera first firmly established the fact of insect eating plants, & since that time numerous species have been observed & studied.
A description of the methods adopted by most of the different types of carnivorous plants followed. These included, among our British plants, – Bladder wort (Utricularia), Sun-dew (Drosera), Butter-wort (Pinguicula), & Tooth-wort (Lathryea) [sic] & among exotics, Venus Flytrap, hepenthes [sic] & Saracenia [sic]. These descriptions, aided by dried specimines [sic] & diagrams were most interesting, & instructive. Unfortunately, as Mrs. Manning had to return to Sheffield by train, the lecture was brought to a somewhat abrupt close.
A hurried but hearty vote of thanks was given to the lecturer. A discussion followed when the absence of the lecturer was much felt.
The following new members were elected.
Miss F. Shorland & Messrs. Vaughan, Cresbie, Wombell & Hunt.
Signed Geo. B. Bisat
Nov 22nd., 1901
Committee meeting held at 9 Priory Place
Present – Mr. Jordan in the chair, Mrs. Corbett and Messrs. Stiles, Cuttriss, Gledhill, & Corbett.
The minutes of the last committee meeting were read & confirmed.
The following nominations for membership were given in
Messrs. F. A. Jordan, & E. A. Witham.
Signed H, Culpin 30.12.01
Nov 27th., 1901
An ordinary Meeting was held at the County Court Room on Wednesday Nov. 27th.
Present – Mr. Geo, Bisat in the chair, & 35 members & visitors.
The evening was devoted to short essays, etc.
Mr. Culpin read an essay on “Averages” the gist of which went to show that it was mis-leading to apply general averages to particular cases. He specially applied himself to proving the falsity possible in attempting to estimate geological time from averages gained from statistics of surface denudation by rivers.
A discussion followed in which Messrs Mapleton, Clarkson & Corbett took part.
Mr. Williamson read a paper on “Speculation in Science”.
The tendency of this essay was to warn speculators against the dangers of attempting to know the unknowable.
A discussion followed in which Messrs. Mapleton, Clarkson, Moore, Corbett, Culpin & Edgar took part.
Mr. Stiles demonstrated a new system of coloured back-ground illumination of microscopic objects.
Mr. Gledhill read a paper on “Mimics & Shams”.
This was a popular description of several examples of mimicry amongst animals.
Messrs. Edgar, Moore, Clarkson, Vaughan, & Corbett took part in the discussion.
Mr. Jordan exhibited a fragment of pottery, said to have been taken from the Balby Boulder Clay about 40 feet from the surface. The exhibitor said that, granted that the pottery was from the undisturbed clay it proved the existence of pre-glacial man.
Dec 11th., 1901
An ordinary Meeting was held at the County Court Room on Wednesday Dec. 11th 1901
Present – Mr. Edgar, President in the Chair & 48 members & visitors.
Sectional Reports.
Geology.
Mr. Jordan exhibited a boulder of Quartz-porphyrite found by him near Tills, & read a letter from T. Sheppard, F.G.S. stating that the boulder was probably of Scandinavian origin, & that the Boulder Committee of the Y.N.U. would have a “slice” cut from the rock for critical microscopic examination.
Mr. Corbett then read a paper on the “Glacial & Post Glacial Geology of Doncaster.”
The lecture, which was illustrated by lantern slide, some prepared by Mr. Bellamy from maps & diagrams by the lecturer, others lent by Pro. Kendall, attempted to account for the presence of the different rocks in the Balby Till, & for the distribution of the different post-glacial gravels, etc. in the immediate vicinity of Doncaster.
The chief ice-invasion was supposed to have come from the N.E. & to have been composed of Lake District rocks from the Stainmoor Pass route, together with Scottish & possibly Scandinavian rocks. The sheet on its S.W. course had swept the remains of the Yorkshire Dales, with their Carboniferous rocks westward as far as Balby. Lancashire route rocks have probably been picked up from the Calder Moraine.
The post-glacial gravels were accounted for on the assumption of a great Humber (?) Glacial Lake in the Trent & York Vales with an outlet in the time of the great thaw by the Trent & Humber.
A good discussion followed by a vote of thanks to the lecture terminated the meeting.
Signed H. Culpin 19.2.02
Dec 30th., 1901
Committee Meeting held at 9 Priory Place
Present – Mr. Culpin in the Chair, Mrs. Corbett & Messrs. Gledhill, Bellamy, Jordan, & Corbett.
The minutes of the last committee meeting were read and confirmed.
Arrangements for the Conservazione.
The Hon. Sec. to ask either Mr. Hewitt or some other member of Yorkshire Naturalists, Union, to deliver a short lecture, illustrated by lantern slides.
The Conversazione to open at 7.45 p.m.
Concert at 8.0
Lecture at 8.30
Refreshments at 9.0
The catering & Music to be arranged by Mrs. Corbett.
Microscopes to be arranged by Messrs. Stiles & Winter.
Circulars, announcing the meeting, & asking for contributions towards exhibition to be sent out to all members.
Photography to be attended to by Messrs. Gledhill & Halerton (?).
Electrical Apparatus by Mr. Cuttriss
Gas Light novelties by Mr. Edgar
Slide-rule by Mr. Jordan
Micro-lantern by Mr. Gladhill
Prices of admission
Members free – non-members 1/- each.
Mr. Brunskill to be asked to act as Tyler.
Alteration of date of meeting.
Mr. Bellamy’s lecture to be Feb 26th instead of March 19th.
Signed Thos. Cuttriss Jen 20/02
Jan 20th, 1902
A Committee Meeting was held at 9 Priory Place on Monday Jan 20th, 1902
Present – Mr. Cuttriss in the chair, Mrs. Corbett & Messrs. Jordan Gledhill & Corbett.
The minutes of the last Committee Meeting ere read & confirmed.
The Secretary, having read a letter from Dr. Sorby announcing That he (Mr. S.) was ill & unable to keep his appointment with the Society. It was resolved that Dr. Sorby be asked to give his lecture next session & that all members be notified that there will be no meeting of the Society on Feb 5th.
The Following were nominated for membership.
Mrs. & Miss Tench & Miss Bell.
Conversazione arrangements
Exhibits to be in Ball Room.
Refreshments in Saloon
Dark Room in Banqueting Hall
Signed M. H. Stiles Mar 10/02
Jan 23rd., 1902
The Annual Conversatzione was held at the Mansion House (Kindly lent by the Mayor, Councillor J. Windell) on Thursday Jan. 23rd., 1902
Except that the numbers were not so great as we should wish, the event was greatly successful.
Only (blank) members & (blank) visitors availed themselves of the chance of a pleasant & instructive meeting.
The account of the soiree is from the Doncaster Chronicle
& is good except for the omission of mention of the fine display of Photographs, by members of the Camera Club, that decorated the walls of the Ball Room.
[a newspaper cutting is pasted into the minute book at this point]
Doncaster Scientific Society
Conversazione in the Mansion House
A conversazione and exhibition meeting, promoted by the Doncaster Scientific Society, was held in the Mansion House on Thursday evening of last week. These interesting and instructive gatherings have been held annually for several years past, and may now be looked upon as a well established institution.
The Society is in a flourishing condition, thanks very largely to the scientific enthusiasm of the President (Councillor Edgar), the Honorary Secretary (Mr. H. H. Corbett), and one or two other gentlemen, whose names are well known locally by reason of their devotion to those pursuits the furtherance of which is the object of the association, and the keenness with which their well-directed energy is emulated by the members generally.
There can be no doubt that the custom of holding annual conversazione is a good one, for not only does it seek, and with some success, to interest the general public in the work of the Society, but it promotes a bond of sympathy among the various members, one with the other, in their work, for the prominence given to exhibits of all branches of science naturally has a tendency to interest an individual in the speres of research, besides the one or two, perhaps, which he had marked down for his own, and beyond which he probably would never have strayed without some little stimulus of the kind.
The conversazione took place from 7.30 to 10.30, and between those hours it was well attended. The exhibits were set out in the ball room, and embracing, as they did, nearly every branch of Science were naturally of a very varied character. Specimens zoological, botanical, archaeological, and geological were laid out in well arranged order, well repaid close attention.
In the zoological department Mr. Lee exhibited a very handsome case of foreign butterflies, chiefly Indian. It contained some very beautiful specimens and the collection was nicely arranged. Another interesting exhibit was a good specimen of a stormy petrel, which was picked up dead in Nether Hall road last November. The stormy petrel is not merely a sea bird, but a mid-ocean one; that is to say unlike the gulls that inhabit the cliffs and crags of our coast, it loves the very heart of the trackless waste. It is a far cry from this solitude of its preference to Nether Hall road, and it is a matter for speculation how it came there. The supposition which seems most reasonable id that the bird had been driven thus far out of its ordinary latitudes by adverse winds.
Among things Archaeological, Mr. Jordan exhibited an interesting collection of pre-historic emblems, of the earlier and later stone ages. As usual, there was a good array of microscopes, through which visitors were enabled to see all sorts of interesting objects, living as well as inanimate. There was a capital display of botanical specimens. Indeed, one of the most interesting features of the exhibition were the additions made to the local collection of wild plants, during the past year, which is being preserved at the museum, four or five of the species having been hitherto unrecorded for South Yorkshire. The collection of dried specimens has been formed by Dr. Corbett for the purpose of recording all the wild plants of the Doncaster district. There are such a variety of soils within a radius of a few miles round Doncaster – from the limestone formations characteristic of Hexthorpe, Levitt Hagg, Warmsworth, and Conisbro’, down to the bogs of Thorne – that the district is peculiarly rich in different species of flora. Dr. Corbett has, we believe, already recorded 640 separate species; he has not had time yet to collect the whole of them, but he has discovered their presence in the district.
Mr. Hyde, of the Corporation Schools, also showed a large number of plants and flowers collected by the children of the schools. Mr. Cuttriss exhibited Rontgen ray apparatus, and Geisler and Crook’s tubes for showing various effects of electricity in vacua, while Mr., Bellamy exhibited an apparatus for throwing microscopic objects on to a screen by means of a lantern, and which enabled the common or garden flea to be shown the size of a large rabbit. There was an interesting show of electrical apparatus from the corporation Works, including a new heating electrical apparatus, and among other objects of interest was a pianola sent by Messrs. Archibald Ramsden, and which was manipulated from time to time. The casing had been opened in order to enable visitors to see the ingenious mechanism, the movements of which when the instrument was being operated on were plainly visible.
Exhibits were lent by members as follows:
Microscopes: Messrs. Stiles, Winter, Jorden, Cuttriss, Bisat, Gledhill, ewtc.
View-lantern: Mr. Bellamy
Electrical apparatus: Messrs. Wyld and Cuttriss.
Botanical: Messrs. Hyde and Corbett
Zoological: Messrs. Paterson, Lee, Cooper, Robinson, etc.
Archaeological: Mr. Jordan.
Geological: Messrs. Hyde, Moore and Corbett.
From eight o’clock to half-past there was music in the ball room, vocal solos being given by Miss Allison, and Mt. J. H. Proctor, and a flute solo by Mr. Venus, all three very creditably, while Messrs. Woodhouse, Boddy, Gilbert, Reasbeck, Venus, and H. Moore played very enjoyably three movements from a symphony by Mozart. Mrs. H. B. Moore and Mr. Harry Moore performed the accompaniments.
It must be said that some of the visitors gave anything but a courteous reception to the artistes. Their action was, of course, only thoughtless, and due to the divided interests that the room afforded, but it is not flattering, nor yet ordinarily kind to a performer, who is giving his or her services gratuitously, to walk noisily about the room, and indulge in such very audible conversation as to seriously detract from the pleasure of those who would have preferred to listen to the music in, at any rate, something approaching silence.
At 8.30 an interesting lecture was given, by Mr. Kenneth McLean, of Harrogate, on “Bird Life by the Stream,” which he illustrated with lantern views. In introducing the lecturer, Dr. Corbett, who Presided, took the opportunity to thank the Mayor for the use of the Mansion House, and those who had helped in the exhibition and in the musical programme, for their services. He remarked that although the Society was in a more flourishing condition, and had a larger attendance of members at meetings than ever before, ”much would have more,” and they would be glad to welcome additional members.
After the concert, refreshments were provided in the saloon, and the conversazione came to a close at half-past ten.
Feb 19th., 1902
An Ordinary Meeting of the Society was held at the county Court Room, Guild Hall on Wednesday Feb 19th, 1902
Present – Mr. Culpin in the chair & 35 members & visitors
The minutes of the last meeting were read & confirmed.
Sectional Reports
Zoology.
Mr. Duffy produced a letter from Ca…(?) Tristram (?) in answer to his enquiry respecting a “Toad in Rock” said to have been seen by the Ca…(?). The letter stated that a toad had been found in magnesian Limestone, but the matrix from which it escaped was not seen. The rock was full of cracks & fissures. The toad was dissected & its stomach contained the remains of moths, caterpillars & other insects.
The following new members were elected.
Mrs. Bell & Mr. & Miss Tench.
Mr. Bellamy read a paper on “Stereoscopic Photography” of which the following is a resume.
After stating that Stereoscopic work was always of interest to photographers & others, he showed, by means of two images shown on the screen at the same time, that the two pictures of a Steriogram are not identical, & how & why they differed. Then, by means of coloured glasses in the tinting slots of the lantern, the two sides of a Steriogram were on the screen in different colours, first separately, & then together, showing that when looked at through correspondingly coloured glass, only one coloured view could be seen with each eye. This being a means of seeing only one view with each eye produced the appearance of stereoscopic relief on the screen.
The lecturer next demonstrated the results of wrong separation of lenses, As an example he showed on the screen a stereogram of a Lion, apparently taken from a life size model, but which in reality was taken from a small chimney-piece ornament of not more than four inches in its greatest length.
The reason of transparency prints was also shown by some amusing but graphic slides in the lantern.
The suitability or otherwise of various subjects was explained & shown by means of slides.
More than 150 stereograms, some of which were the property of the lecturer, & others lent by Messrs. Gledhill & Whittingham, were on view together with several Stereoscopes. Many of these were particularly fine & were greatly admired.
A short discussion by Messrs. Gledhill & Stiles & a vote of thanks to Mr. Bellamy terminated the meeting.
Signed Saml. Edgar, chairman.
Mar 10th, 1902
A Committee Meeting was held at 9 Priory Place on Monday Mar 10th.
Present – Mr. Stiles in the chair, Mrs. Corbett, Messrs. Jordan & Corbett.
The following nomination passed committee.
Hon. Mem. Dr. J. M. Wilson
Ordinary Members. Mrs. Bowskill & Mr. Clore
Signed Halliwell Thomas, Chairman
Mar 19th, 1902
An Ordinary Meeting was held at the County Court Room, Guild Hall, on Wednesday March 19th, 1902.
Present – Mr. Edgar (President) in the chair & 34 members & visitors.
The minutes of the last meeting were read & confirmed.
The following new members & Honorary member were elected
Honorary Member Dr. J. Mitchel Wilson
Ordinary Members Mrs. Bowskill & Mr. Clore.
Sectional Reports
Geology
Mr. Corbett exhibited & remarked upon two boulders of Cherts from the Balby Boulder Clay, both specimens contained spicules of Hyalonema parallelle.
Zoology
Mr. Corbett exhibited a melanic variety of Phygalia pedaria recently captured in Wheatly Wood, where the type is common but the melanic form had not before been recorded for the Doncaster district
Mr. Gledhill exhibited & presented to the museum a specimine of the Pheasant ♂. This is without the white ring round the neck & appears to be the true old English type of Phasianus colchicus
Dr. Finnemore (the Rev.) then read a paper on Fossils.
Beginning with the derivation & definition of the meaning of the word “Fossil” he proceeded to describe some of the processes by which organisms are preserved in a fossilized state. The sequence of the stratified rocks was then touched upon together with a description of some of the chief groups of animals & plants characteristic of the different formations. This part of the subject was illustrated by means of both specimines & diagrams.
In conclusion he stated that although a general sequence of forms were found in the different rocks, yet he could see nothing in paleontology to support the theory of descent with modification commonly known as the Darwinian theory.
These latter remarks were the provocative of considerable discussion in which Messrs. Edgar, Corbett, Culpin, Jordan, Stiles, & Moor took part.
On the proposition of Mr. Jordan, seconded by Mr. Culpin & supported by Mr. Stiles, a vote of thanks was unanimously passed to Dr. Finnemore for his interesting lecture.
Signed H. Culpin 26/3/02
Apr 1st, 1902
Committee meeting held at 9 Priory Place
Present – Mr. Thomas in the chair, Mrs. Corbett & Messrs. Bellamy & Corbett.
It was proposed by Mr. Bellamy, seconded by Mrs. Corbett & carried. That Mr. Ballans lecture be advertised in the local papers & that the public be admitted.
Signed Sam. Edgar
[the Annual Meeting 1901-2 report is to be found at the end of the minute book]
Apr 23rd, 1902
Annual Meeting 1901-2 (Report omitted from proper place)
The Annual Meeting for the reception of the Report & Balance Sheet; Election of Officers etc. was held in the county Court Room on Wednesday April 23rd, 1902
In the absence of the President, Mr. Stiles occupied the chair & there were present 20 members.
The Hon. Sec. read the following report, which was adopted.
Ladies & Gentlemen
Your committee, in presenting this report of the present condition of your society, on the completion of its majority year, have great pleasure in being able to state, that continued & increasing success in nearly all departments, marks the year 1901-2.
This being the first report of a complete year under the new regulation, whereby the Annual Meeting is held in April, instead of October; the Societies work during the summer months will first claim attention.
During the “outdoor Session”, seven excursions were arranged, of which five were carried out, one was cancelled, & one was altered, for reasons explained below. Date & particulars of these excursions are as follows.
Monday May 27th (Whit Monday) Brough with Y.N.U.
A party of eight from Doncaster had a most enjoyable day, chiefly geological. Sections were examined of the Boulder Clay with Scandinavian eratics, various interglacial gravels with mammalian remains. Junction of the upper & lower chalk with marl parting & Killoways sand (oolite). In Microscopy, Mr. Stiles made some gatherings from the brackish ditches near the Humber, which on examination were found of much interest; several Diatoms, unrecorded for the East Riding, being found.
Thursday June 13th Campsall & Camps Mount
A party of ten took part in this excursion. By the kindness of Messrs. Bacon, Frank & Yarborough, the parks & both Campsall & Camps Mount were visited. The ancient church of Campsall was examined, & also the Bog at Askern. The most noteworthy matter of scientific interest was the discovery of Geraneum [sic] pyrenaicum in its old station where it was recorded by E. Lancester in 1842; & Scirpus tabemaemontani in the Askern Bog. This species is of maritime habit & is a relic of the time when the sea reached up the Don Valley as far as Doncaster.
Saturday June 29th Conisbro’
Fifteen persons took part in this ramble. By permission of Mr. Chambers, the waste heaps at Cadeby were examined, & many good coal-measure fossils were obtained. During the walk from Cadeby to Sprotbro’, the very rich flora of the Magnesian Limestone soil was noted, the grasses which were in full flower being most noticed. Mr. Culpin described the chief geological features of the district.
Thursday July 11th Scunthorpe & Frodingham
Only six turned out for this excursion. Possibly the extreme heat of the day deterred some. The section of the Lower & Middle Lias were examined & the very abundant fossils were seen. Among these were found a sample of Pentacrinites, not previously noted from Frodingham. On arrival at the sandy district near Appleby, a search was made for pre-historic remains, & among numerous chips & flakes of flint, several good specimines were found , notably a perfect barbed arrowhead, & part of a cinerary urn.
Monday August 5th (Bank Holiday) Medge Hall
For this excursion a party of nine assembled at Medge Hall Station & one more joined at Thorne. The ramble was chiefly distinguished for the various rare & interesting plants found by the canal, & on the edge of the moor. The most noteworthy of these were
Erysium choeranthoides, Lysamachia nummularia, Potamogeton friesii.
Thursday August 15th Lincoln
This excursion was abandoned owing to there being no applications for tickets
Thursday September 12th Pontefract for Wentdale with Y.N.U.
Owing to this excursion having been fixed for the week of the Doncaster Races, & further to some difficulty on the part of the Y.N.U. in getting permission to visit the Brock-o-dale estate. Both date & locale were altered to
September 26th Conisbro’ to Doncaster.
A Report of the meeting from “The Naturalist” is included in our Minute Book
In the various sections of the Society, a considerable amount of work has been done. The reports, as sent in by the respective recorders being as follows.
Archaeology
Mr. Jordan reports – A fragment of need(?) pottery found at Balby Brickworks, was submitted to Professor W. Boyd Dawkins, who referred it to the Middle Ages. Some worked flints have been found in the old earth-works at the end of Charles Street.
Botany
Mr. Corbett reports – The somewhat formidable task of making a complete record of our local flora still goes on, & much progress has been made during the past session, especially among the more critical species. The following species & varieties have been added to the Herbarium during the year.
Ranunculus droutic var godronii gre(?) from Wilby
Geraneum pyrenaicum Burmes fils from Camps Mount
*Rubus argentatus var robustus P.J. Muell from Balby
Rubus Hystrix W & N from Rossington
Myriophyllum verticillatum L. from Loversal
*Potamogeton coloratus Homem from Askern
Potamogeton friesii Rupr. from Medge Hall
Potamogeton pusillus L. from Wilby
Eleocharis selaceus L. from Loversal & Rossington
*Eleocharis tahemalmontani Guel. From Askern
Eleocharis sylvaticus L. from Wheatley
Carex pallescens L. from Edlington
Carex laevigate Sm. From Askern
*Galium erectum from Rossington
Of these, the four species marked with the asterisk are new records for vice county 63.
Geology
Mr. Culpin reports – In addition to the excursions & the lectures mentioned in the general report, the following should be recorded. Specimines have been submitted at meetings of the Society.
By Mr. Moor, Brecria(?) from Levitt Hagg
By Mr. Jordan, Boulder of Quartz porphyrilt found at Tilts
By Mr. Corbett, Chert boulders from Balby Clay, containing spicules of Hyalonemma parallella
Microscopy
Mr. Stiles reports – A steady amount of work has been done in this section, although much more ought to be done with the microscope at the disposal of the Society. Several species or varieties of Diatoms have been added to the recorded list published in “The Naturalist” 18 months ago. More workers are wanted in this department.
The Reading Union
Mr. Clarkson reports – The Reading Union of members of the Society is the outcome of a discussion at the Annual General Meeting of last year. It was then proposed that Messrs. Clarkson, Moor, & White be appointed to promote the formation of a Reading Union, for the purpose of undertaking regular courses of reading in scientific subjects. Circulars were posted to all members of the Society, indicating the methods & objects of the proposed union, and as a result fortnightly meetings for reading & discussion were arranged. The first book taken was Grant Allens “History of the Plants”, which owing to the freshness with which its author deals with ….ical(?) subjects, was found both stimulating & useful.
On the completion of this, a series of special readings were arranged, the subject delt with being “Aims & Scope of Science”, “The age of the World”, “The Origin of Life”, “The Imperfection of the Geological Record”, “Th Antiquity of Man”. The Union is now engaged in reading Professor Milnes Marshall’s “Lectures on the Darwinian Theory”, which it is hoped to complete before then end of the present session. Fifteen meetings have been held during this, the first session, at which the average attendance has been 11. The promoters believe that the Union has been highly useful to the group of members comprising it, & hope for increased numbers & success in the future.
The Winter Session has been in many ways the best on record. Eleven meetings were held. At nine of these lectures were delivered, one was devoted to short essays & one was the Annual Conversazione. The attendance at these meetings has been far higher than in any previous year. The average (exclusive of the Conversazione & Mr. Ballan’s lecture) being 36.75; & inclusive of all meetings being about 47. This gives an average increase of 6.25 on last years attendance, which was then the best.
Of the lectures delivered, all have been of much interest. Special mention should be made of those given by members of other Societies. These were “Why we breathe, & how” by Mr. Farnley of Barnsley; & “Insectivorous Plants” by Mrs. Manning of Sheffield. Both were excellent & encourage your society to further “exchange of pulpits.”
Three of the lectures by members were of great local interest, & attracted large audience. These were, The Presidential Address by Mr. Councillor Edgar, on “Local Educational Matters”, “The Glacial & Post Glacial Geology of Doncaster” by Mr. Corbett, & “Roche Abbey” by Mr. Ballan. This last, which was made a public lecture, drew a crowded house, & well repaid all who heard it. Mr. Ballan had devoted a great amount of time & knowledge to his subject, & consequently his audience learned more about “Roche” in one evening than they had known before.
Numerically your society is stronger than ever. During the year 27 new members have joined, a greater number than in any year since 1882. Death & other causes have removed some. The total roll now is 120.
Financially, we have had a very expensive year, as the Statement of Accounts will show. Nevertheless, we still have a good balance in hand in a solvent position.
After the reading of the report the following officers etc. were elected for the ensuing year.
President – A. Jordan
Vice-presidents – Messrs. Edgar, Cuttriss, & Clarkson
Committee – Mrs. Corbett & Messrs. Moor, Bellamy & Hyde
Hon. Sec. & Treasurer – H. H. Corbett
Recorders of Sections.
Botany – Mr. Corbett
Archaeology – Messrs. Jordan, Mapleton & Ballan
Geology – Messrs. Culpin & grace
Microscopy – Mr. Stiles
Photography – Messrs. Bellamy, Robinson & (????)
Physics – Messrs. Grace, Cuttriss & Thomas(?)
Zoology – Messrs. Corbett & Moor
Museum – Mr. Gledhill
Reading Union – Mr. Clarkson
Scientific Societies Representatives on the Museum Committee – Messrs. Jordan, Stiles, Cuttriss, Crummack, Corbett
New Members – Miss Bell was elected.
The Summer Excursions were discussed
A vote of thanks to the Hon. Sec. was carried unanimously.
Doncaster Scientific Society
Annual Statement of Accounts 1901-2
| Receipts | Expenditure | ||
| Subscriptions | Stamps £5.0.0 | 15 0 0 | |
| 1900-01 (12) £2.2.0 | Envelopes & post cards | 9 6 | |
| 1901-02 (86) £15.1.0 | |||
| 1902-03 (10) £1.15.0 | 18 18 0 | Printing & Advertising | |
| Bisat | |||
| Henderson | |||
| Chronicle | |||
| Gazette | 7 2 3 | ||
| Lecturer’s expenses | 5 8 | ||
| Medge Hall excursion | 3 0 | ||
| Subs to Y.N.U. (2 yrs 1901-03) | 10 0 | ||
| Hire of Room | 1 3 6 | ||
| Conversazione | 3 2 10 | ||
| Reading Union (per A.A.C) | 1 2 2 | ||
| Lantern Evenings | 10 6 | ||
| Caretaker of Guild Hall (Burton) | 5 0 | ||
| Balance in Bank | 17 0 5 | Balance in Bank | 17 0 5 |
| Balance due treasurer | 16 5 | ||
| 36 14 10 | 36 14 10 |
Audited & found correct J. W. Hainsworth 18 April 1902
Apr 29th, 1902
Committee Meeting held at 9 Priory Place
Present – Mr. Jordan (President) in the chair, Mrs. Corbett & Messrs. Cuttriss, Gleadhill, Stiles, Moor, Clarkson, Thomas, Culpin, & Corbett.
The minutes of the previous committee meeting were read & confirmed.
The following excursions programme was approved
Whit Monday – Laughton, Anston, etc.
Thursday June 12th – Kirkstall Abbey
Thursday July 3rd – Roche Abbey
Thursday July 10th – Bawtry with Y.N.U.
Saturday July 21st – Hampole to Doncaster (Mr. Kitson of Hampole to be seen re this excursion)
Saturday Aug. 9th – Conisbro’ & Clifton
Thursday July 10th – Balby (evening excursion)
Nomination of proposed member – Mr. Mahon
Proposed by Mr. Clarkson, seconded by Mr. Stiles
“That a list of members be printed with the Summer Programme.”
Signed Alma Jordan
Jun 19th, 1902
Committee Meeting held at 9 Priory Place
Present – Mr. Jordan (President) in the chair, Mrs. Corbett, Messrs. Gledhill, Moor, Cuttriss, Stiles, & Corbett
Minutes of the last meeting (committee) read & confirmed.
Alteration of date for Roche Abbey excursion altered to 17th July 1902. Proposed by Mr. Stiles, seconded by Mr. Gledhill
The evening excursion to the Brickfield to be altered to 5th July 1902. Party to meet at Balby tram terminus at 6p.m.
Signed A Jordan.
Aug 1st, 1902
Committee Meeting held at 9 Priory Place
Present – Mr. Jordan (President) in the chair, Mrs. Corbett, Messrs. Moor, Clarkson, Cuttriss, & Corbett
Minutes of the last meeting (committee) read & confirmed.
The date of the excursion to Clifton & Edlington was altered to August 10th
The following nominations for membership were approved viz.
Messrs. Whitworth, Phillips, Green, Evans, & Dr. McLean
Winter Programme.
The secretary was instructed to write to the lecture agency re. Mr. Kearton’s lectures.
The secretary was further instructed to endeavour to get a Y.N.U. lecture from one of the following lecturers. Viz. Mr. Kendal, Mr. Taylor or Mr. Sewer Carter
Also to arrange an exchange of lecturers with the York Society.
Also to endeavour to obtain lectures or papers from some of the following members of our society. Viz. Messrs. Evans, Robson, Grace, Cox, Cuttriss, Moor, Gatby, Wyld & English.
Signed H. Culpin 30.9.02
Oct 15th, 1902
Committee Meeting held at 9 Priory Place
Present – Mr. Culpin in the chair, Mrs. Corbett, Messrs. Moor, Gledhill, Clarkson, & Corbett
Minutes of the last meeting (committee) read & confirmed.
The programme for the Winter Session was considered & passed on condition that the Hon. Sec. arrange to fill vacant dates.
The following were proposed as delegates to the Annual Meeting of the Y.N.U. viz. Messrs. Jordan, Culpin & Clarkson.
A sub-committee consisting of Messrs. Stiles, Gledhill & Corbett was formed to decide upon what photographs should be placed in the Societies Albums.
It was recommended that the society become affiliated with the Society for the Protection of Birds.
It was further recommended that the Society purchase a copy of “The Flora of the East Riding”
The following nominations for membership were passed. Mr. & Mrs. Jones & Mr. Gervis.
Signed M. H. Stiles chairman.
Oct 15th, 1902
An ordinary Meeting of the Society was held at the County Court Room, Guild Hall on Wednesday October 15th, 1902
Present – Mr. Jordan (President) in the chair & 42 members & visitors.
The minutes of the last meeting were taken as read.
Sectional Reports.
Botany.
Mr. Corbett called the attention of the members to the recommendation of the committee that a copy of “The Flora of the East Riding” be purchased by the society.
On the proposition of Mr. Culpin, seconded by Mr. Percy, the recommendation was confirmed.
Geology
The geological section was specially reminded of the forthcoming lecture on the Magnesian Limestone by Mr. Dwerryhouse.
Zoology.
The recommendation by the committee that our society should join “The Society for the Protection of Birds” was confirmed.
The following new members were elected. Mr. & Mrs. Jones & Mr. Gervis.
Mr. Cuttriss took the chair while Mr. Jordan delivered his Presidential Address on
“A Glimpse at some places of Prehistoric Interest”.
After some introductory words on the condition of Western European civilization in Neolithic Times, with special reference to the skill of the inhabitants in making stone implements & to the evidence of their possession of some ideas of religion; the lecturer described three places within easy access of Doncaster that are particularly rich in neolithic remains.
Firstly, the so called Danes Dyke at Bridlington.
He argued that from the present appearance of the Dyke & from the geological structure of locality that the Dyke was wholly due to the work of man & was not a natural water course. It was further remarked that the stone implements found at Danes Dyke were identical with those found in Scandinavia.
Hooton Roberts was the next place mentioned.
Here were numerous flints & among them a considerable quantity of pygmy implements. These pygmy implements were supposed to point to a former dwarf race comparable to the pygmies of Central Africa.
Frodingham was the third place mentioned.
Here were many flints to be found differing in workmanship from those of the Wolds of East Yorkshire. Along with them are found pot sheards & burnt bones of horse & Ox, etc.
A very lively discussion followed the reading of the paper in which Messrs. Percy, Stiles, Clarkson, Mapleton. Culpin, Sutton, Moor, Corbett & Evans took part. The chief centre of discussion hung upon the formation of the Danes Dyke & the meaning of the pygmy implements.
A vote of thanks to the lecturer terminated the meeting.
Signed M. H. Stiles (chairman)
Oct 29th, 1902
An Ordinary Meeting of the Society was held in the county Court Room, Guild Hall on Wednesday October 29th, 1902.
Present – Mr. Stiles in the chair & 26 members & friends.
The minutes of the last meeting were read & confirmed.
Sectional Reports.
Botany
The Hon. Sec. placed upon the table the copy of ”The Flora of the East Riding” recently purchased by the Society.
Geology
Some hard(?) specimines of a boulder & volcanic agglomerate, recently found at Finningley were exhibited.
Mr. E Moor then read a paper on M. Rateau’s theory of Terrestrial Formation.
[a blank space is left in the minute book, presumably to add details of this paper at some future date]
Nov 3rd, 1902
Committee Meeting held at 9 Priory Place
Present – Mr. Stiles in the chair, Mrs. Corbett, Messrs. Moor, & Corbett
Minutes of the last meeting (committee) read & confirmed.
It was proposed that for the next meeting of the Society, the large room at the Albany Hotel be secured, & that a special notice be sent to all members.
The following nominations for membership were passed.
Rev. F. G. Scobell, Mrs. F. Gothard, & Mr. & Mrs. Watson
Signed M. H. Stiles
Nov. 12th, 1902
An Ordinary Meeting of the Society was held at the Albany Hotel on Wednesday Nov. 12th, 1902
Present – Mr. Culpin in the chair & 45 members & friends.
Mr. Dwerryhouse, assistant lecturer on Geology at the Yorkshire College, delivered a lecture entitled
“Notes on some recent research into the composition & mode of origin of the Magnesian Limestone.”
The lecture, which was illustrated by means of lantern slides, maps & specimines; commenced with a description of the relationship of the various rocks of which the surface of the Earth is composed, with regard to their stratigraphical order. It was chiefly the formations at the upper part of the Palaeozoic [sic] & the Lower part of the Mesozoic that concerned the question at issue in this lecture.
The older geologists had thought that there was evidence of a great interval of time between the close of the Permian & the beginning of the Triassic systems. Modern research had gone far to break up this idea, & now we believe that the Permian & Triassic formation were conformable. In support of this view sections were shown of the rocks in the vicinity of Stockport, firstly according to Hall & secondly as corrected by Kendall.
The division of Permian rocks in England were described & attention was directed to the great difference between rocks of the same age on the Western & Eastern sides of the Pennine Range. Shortly these may be described as Sandstone & ..glomerate(?) on the West, & Limestone & Marl on the East.
A series of photographs of the Permian escarpment in the Vale of Eden were shown on the screen, & the evidence of movement of the Craven Fault during Permian times from the pebbles contained in the Lower & Upper Brockrams was brought forward. The Lower Brockram contains pebbles of mountain limestone with very few other stones, while the Upper Brockram contains a large percentage of pebbles & angular g=fragments of Quartz.
The great scarcity of Fossils in all the British Rocks of Permian & Triassic ages suggests arid climates & land locked seas & lakes. This theory is strengthened by the frequent deposits of Salt & Gypsum in rocks of this age.
The precise conditions under which these rocks were deposited has been one of the unresolved problems of Geology. A Committee of the British Association has been formed for elucidating the matter. The lecturer, as one of the committee, is beginning with a complete examination of the Quick Sands that are found below the Lower Magnesian Limestone in the neighbourhood of Kippax. The grains of sand are separated into several grades of fineness & the material surrounding the grains is further examined. Many of the quartz grains are found to be sub-pherical & few are sharply angular. This points to blown-sand as the origin of the formation. Some of the grain are covered in Ferric Oxide & others in Kaolin. All these materials might be from the wear & tear of Millstone Grit.
The search will go on with much minuteness throughout the whole of the rocks of the Magnesian Limestone Series & it is hoped that much knowledge of the formation will be the result.
A discussion in which Messrs. Corbett, Stiles, & Culpin took part followed the lecture & a vote of thanks to the lecturer brought the meeting to a close.
Signed Alma Jordan
Nov 26th, 1902
A Meeting of the Society was held in the County Court Room, Guild Hall on Wednesday November 26th 1902.
Present – Mr. Jordan (President) in the chair & 54 members & visitors.
As the lecturer for the evening had to leave for Leeds by 9.26 train all business was deferred until after the lecture.
Mr. Taylor delivered a lecture on “The Life-history & Structure of the Common Garden Snail.”
A series of most excellent lantern slides of dissections etc. was used in illustration. The first of these, a picture of Helix aspersa fully extended was described in detail, & the uses of the muscular foot, the tentacles, mouth, breathing orifice & other parts was explained. The various parts of the shell were named & its structure consisting of three distinct layers, an outer chitinous, epidermal, a mesial consisting of prisines of carbonate of lime, & an inner portion consisting of mother-of-pearl, were mentioned. The outer layer is secretory & serve for the repair of injuries to the shell. The mucus is also secretory & deposits lime for the necessary growth of the shell.
The numerous varieties of texture, colour, & form of the shell were noted & their importance from an evolutional standpoint as marking the development of incipient species was referred to. Among the more extreme cases of variation, were var. Scalariforme in which the whorls of the shell were separate giving it the form of a horn of plenty. (A photograph of this rare form was thrown upon the screen). And the Channel Island variety tenuis. This form is very thin shelled & dwarfed in consequence of the scarcity of carbonate of lime in the soil of the Channel Islands. Adult examples being only about 1/20 the mass of those from a limestone district. Aspersa is probably a recently established species, possibly of Miocene origin. They have not been found as fossils in rocks earlier than the Pliocene deposits.
A map of the World was shown with the range of Aspersa depicted upon it. The natural habitat of the species is in Southern Europe, North Africa & West Europe. In a Eastern direction it comes into competition with its near ally Helix pomatia. Our species being very highly developed & adaptive is a most successful colonist, & has followed the British race to many of the Colonies, notably in America, it is gaining ground & ousting the native molluscs just as European plants & birds, etc. are doing.
The internal anatomy of the species was illustrated by most excellent slides of dissection. These included photographs of the respiratory, arterial, veinous, nervous, reproductive, muscular & digestive systems together with special slides exhibiting the sense organs, teeth, jaws, etc. The nervous system is more centralized than in most molluscs, all the chief ganglia, for special sences, locomotion & nutrition being close together. The tongual plates with its thousands of teeth was shown by means of a photomicrograph & the teeth were described in detail together with their mode of
growth. The membrane in which they are supported growing gradually forward after the manner of a paper nail, & the new teeth coming into use as the old ones are worn out. The eyes, situated at the extremity of the tentacles are of the usual molluscan type, the folic nerve not piercing the retina as is the case in the vertebrate eyes. Experiment has shown that the general surface of the body of the snail has some perception og light. Snails that have had their eyes removed retiring from bright light & seeking shade just as do those in which the eyes are perfect.
Some of the more remarkable habits of the species were referred to. Among these were Hibernation, which is usually made gregariously. Aestivation or Summer sleep a habit common among tropical animals & one which Aspersa has adopted in Australia since its introduction there. The homing instinct, this was first noticed among Mollusca in the common marine species Patella. Observation has determined that our Garden Snail possess the same faculty. Individual specimens having been seen to go on foraging expeditions during the night & return day after day to the same resting place. On these journeys they nearly always describe a figure of 8 going out on one side of the double curve & returning by the other.
Mention was made of the edible qualities of the snail. In many parts of rural England it is a regular article of diet, while many tons are consumed in the Paris markets every day. These are of other species besides aspersa.
The place occupied by the snail in folk-lore & divination was mentioned, & a most instructive & interesting lecture concluded with a description of the curious courtship habits of the animals. Each individual combine both sexes in its self but pairing takes place & cross fertilization is the invariable rule. In the paring use is made of curious little darts which are supposed to excite the erotic passions of the animals. These darts are peculiar to snails & each species has them of different shapes. In the case of some closely allied species for instance, the two common English kinds, H. nemoralis & H. hortensis the only stable distinction is in the form of the love-darts.
A vote of thanks to the lecturer was carried with acclamation as he left the room in order to reach his train.
The other business of the meeting was then proceeded with as follows.
The minutes of the last meeting were read & confirmed.
Sectional Reports
Archaeology
The Hon. Sec. called attention to the Roman Coins recently discovered in the alterations to a shop in High Street. The owner, Mr. Wilton, has presented them to the museum.
Botany
The recorder for the section reported the findings of a large & handsome fungus (Geaster lageniformis Vitt.) [see Geastrum lageniforme an Earthstar] at Cantley. The specimine was gathered by Mrs. Wood, residing at 101 Nelson Street, who showed it to Mr. Clow & he to the recorder. It was sent to Mr. C. Crossland [Charles Crossland (1844-1916) Mycologist] for identification & he reported that the sp. is exceedingly rare, only one previous British record being known.
Zoology
The recorder reported a Storm Petrel having been recently found dead in the Crimpsal. The bird was young & had no doubt been killed by collision with a window in the G. N. Works during migration.
Roebuck Testimonial
The Hon. Sec. read a letter from Mr. Waddington announcing the formation of a committee of members of the Y.N.U. for the purpose of collecting subscriptions from members & associated societies for presenting a testimonial to Mr. N. D. Roebuck on his retiring from the secretaryship of the Union. A proposition that our society subscribes 21/- was carried on the motion of Mr. Corbett & seconded by Mr. Moor.
Election of new members
Mr. F. Gothard was elected a member of the society.
As the date of the next meeting, viz. Dec 10th is also the date of the Annual Meeting of the Y.N.U. it was resolved that the committee should decide upon the advisability or otherwise of altering the date of our meeting.
Signed Alma Jordan.
Dec 1st, 1902
Committee Meeting held at 9 Priory Place
Present – Mr. Stiles in the chair & Mrs. Corbett & Messrs. Cuttriss, Gledhill, & Corbett
The minutes of the last meeting were read & confirmed.
It was proposed & carried, “That as the Annual Meeting of the Y.N.U. is fixed for the 16th inst. The next meeting of this Society be held on the 17th inst.
Books
The Old Red Sandstone [1841], School Botany, & some odd numbers of British Birds, Natural History of Butterflies [1864] offered by Miss Eden for the Library of the Society were accepted with thanks.
It was proposed & carried that “West’s Alga Flora” be found [The Alga-Flora of Yorkshire by West & West, Y.N.U. publications, 1901]
Mr. Gledhill offered to give a reading lamp to the society. The offer was accepted, with thanks.
It was resolved that a reading desk be purchased, Messrs. Stiles, & Corbett to have the matter in hand.
Signed H. Culpin 15.12.02
[this next minute is out of place in the minute book]
Dec 15th, 1902
Committee Meeting held at 9 Priory Place
Present – Mr. Culpin in the chair & Mrs. Corbett & Messrs. Moor, Cuttriss, Stiles, Clarkson, & Corbett
The minutes of the last meeting were read & confirmed.
Proposed & carried, “That the essays, etc. for the next meeting be taken in the following order. Viz.
1. Mr. N. Robinson
2. Mr. E. Moor
3. Mr. Mapleton
4. Mr. Stiles
5. Mr. Culpin (if the time permits)
Signed M. H. Stiles (chairman)
Dec 17th, 1902
An ordinary Meeting of the Society was held at the County Court Room, Guild Hall, on Wednesday Dec. 17th, 1902.
Present – Mr. Jordan, President, in the chair & 33 members & visitors.
The minutes of the last meeting were read & confirmed.
Mr. & Mrs. Jones were elected members of the society.
There were no Sectional Reports
The evening was devoted to short essays & demonstrations by members.
Mr. Robinson read a paper on “A Holiday on a North Sea Trawler,” in which many of the objects interesting to naturalists were described, that may be seen when the waste from the fishing nets is unhawled. Several specimines & a number of drawings, the latter exhibited by means of the lantern, illustrated the lecture.
A discussion in which Messrs. Moor, Gledhill, Jordan, & Stiles joined, followed the treading of the paper.
Mr. E. Moor read an essay in description of the Annual Meeting of the T.N.U. He described the morning excursion along the Humber Foreshore. The Business meeting in the afternoon & the Hull Museum.
A discussion, chiefly on the probable age of some old tobacco pipes in the Hull Museum. Mr. Stiles, Culpin, Jordan, & Corbett took part.
Mr. Mapleton read an account of the life history of the common Gnat, from observations made on some of these insects that he had kept throughout all their stages.
A discussion upon the relation of the Gnat or Mosquito to the bacillus of Malaria, followed in which Messrs. Clarkson, Stiles, Gledhill, Corbett took part, followed.
Mr. Stiles exhibited by means of the Polariscope, specimines of volcanic dust & powdered basalt for comparison.
A vote of thanks to those who had contributed to the programme was proposed by Mr. Clarkson, seconded by Mr. Dufby & carried.
Signed Alma Jordan.
Jan 21st, 1903
A Meeting held at the county Court Room, Guild Hall on Wednesday January 21st, 1903
Present – Mr. Jordan (President) in the chair & 31 members & visitors.
The minutes of the last meeting were read & confirmed
Sectional Reports
Archaeology
Mr. Gledhill exhibited & described some Roman Ampullae found during excavations in the Glasgow Paddocks.
Also, a “Fairy Pipe”, an ancient form of tobacco-pipe, found at the same place.
Botany
Mr. Corbett drew the attention of members to the new Botanical Survey Committee of the Y.N.U. & gave a short sketch of the objects of the Committee.
Mr. Whittaker of Barnsley then read a paper on “Protective Colouration & Mimicry.”
In the first place the lecturer drew attention to the protective colour on broad lines. Desert hunting animals are sand coloured, Arctic species are white, Leaf frequenting insects are green & so forth. But the examples for illustration of the lecture were nearly all taken from insects & bird’s eggs such as are to be found in our own locality.
The first specimine shown was the common Chi Moth (Polia chi) at rest on a bit of mortar. He explains how this was a wall frequenting insect & how its colour harmonized with limestone & mortar. Adopting the hypothesis that a remote ancestor of Chi had been a conspicuous & edible insect, for instance of a scarlet colour, he described how advantageous it would be to any of the prodigy of such an insect should their colour be less conspicuous, & hence less easily seen by those animals that preyed upon them. How such duller coloured moths would have a better chance of surviving & handing down their dull colours to succeeding generations, & how by the constant weeding out of the bright moths & survival of the dull ones the result, in process of time, would be the establishment of a race approximating as closely in colour to their surroundings as does the Chi Moth.
Moths usually rest with their wings closed & closely adpressed to the object upon which they are placed. Hence the upper side in them is protectively coloured. In some species, the hind wings are folded under the forewings & are not seen when at rest. In these only the upper wings are protectively coloured, the hind wings often being white, scarlet, yellow, or blue.
Butterflies on the other hand rest with their wings closed together, the upper surface being hidden & the underside exposed. Therefore, in them the protective colours are confined to the underside. Several examples of Moths & Butterflies at rest in their natural position were exhibited to emphasise these remarks. Larvae are as well if not better protected by their colour & form than the perfect insects. This is especially the case among the tree haunting larvae of Noctuid & Geometrical Moths.
At the same time that some insects are so well protected by their close similarity to their surroundings; others are brilliantly coloured & most conspicuous. As examples among our common insects may be taken, The Cinnabar Moth (Euchelia jacobaea) & the Gold-tailed Moth (Separis auriflua). But the reason for this brilliancy of colour is seen when we find that these insects are nauseous & not eaten by birds etc. Their bright colours are an advertisement of their nastiness. Some species that are not nauseous have gained a reputation for being inedible by imitating the nasty species themselves. A somewhat similar class of mimicry to this is found in the Clear winged Moths that mimic Bees, Hornets & other sting bearing insects.
Passing on to Birds & their eggs, the lecturer showed how as a rule eggs that are exposed on the earth, e.g. Lapwing, Oyster catcher, Snipe etc. harmonise with the colour of the earth while the eggs of the Nightjar that are usually laid on pebbly heaths are like quartzite pebbles. Eggs laid under cover, in holes of trees or rocks etc. are white, being invisible they need no protection. The young of birds that are hatched on the ground are remarkably like sods of earth, e.g. Lapwing, Pheasant, etc.
The lecture was illustrated throughout by particularly good specimines of the species described. Some of the Geometrical larvae mounted upon twigs in their natural positions being so exactly like their surroundings that many who saw them could not tell which was twig & which was caterpillar.
A discussion in which Messrs. Jordan, Stiles, Percy, Green, Mapleton, Clarkson, Gledhill took part, followed on the lecture. The evening concluded with a vote of thanks to Mr. Whittaker for his excellent lecture.
Signed Alma Jordan.
Feb 11th, 1903
A Meeting held at the County Court Room, Guild Hall on Wednesday Feb 11th, 1903
Present – Mr. Jordan (President) in the chair & 37 members and visitors.
The Minutes of the last meeting were read & confirmed.
Sectional Reports
Archaeology
Mr. Jordan exhibited & described two copper tokens.
Botany
Mr. Corbett drew attention to the remarkably early flowering of the Spring Flowers, due to the very mild weather. The following had been found on the 8th inst. Helleborus foetidus, Stellaria media, Tussilago, Senecio vulgaris, Bellis, Taraxacum, Corylus & Daphne laureola.
Mr. S. E. Evans B.A. read a paper on “Some Problems in Bird Life”
[a blank space in the minute book follows, but no details of the lecture is provided]
Feb 18th, 1903
Committee Meeting held at 9 Priory Place
Present – Mr. Stiles in the chair & Mrs. Corbett & Messrs. Moor, Gledhill, & Corbett
The minutes of the last meeting were read & confirmed.
The following new members were proposed, viz. Miss Forest & Messrs. W. A. & B. Cuttriss
The following suggestions for the forthcoming Short Essay night were made,
Mr. Cuttriss on Wireless Telegraphy
Mr. Clarkson on Evolution
Mr. Watson on ?
Signed H. Culpin 24/2/03
Feb 25th, 1903
A Meeting held at the County Court Room, Guild Hall on Wednesday Feb 25th, 1903
Present – Mr. Jordan (President) in the chair & 27 members and visitors.
The Minutes of the last meeting were read & confirmed.
Sectional Reports
Archaeology
Some Roman Coins, recently found during alterations in High Street were exhibited.
The following new members were elected. Miss Forest & Messrs. W. A. & B. Cuttriss
Mr. W. Hewitt, F.E.S. of York gave a lecture on “The Geographical Distribution of Animals”
A discussion followed in which Messrs. Thomas, Jordan, Stiles, Percy, Green, & Phillips took part.
A vote of thanks to the lecturer was proposed by Mr. Culpin. Seconded by Mr. Williamson & carried.
Mar 11th, 1903
A Meeting held at the County Court Room, Guild Hall on Wednesday March 11th, 1903
The evening was devoted to short essays etc.
Mr. Williamson exhibited a series of excellent slides typifying various styles & ages of Ecclesiastical & domestic architecture & read an essay entitled “Trucks with the Past”
Mr. Gledhill read a paper on “Yeast” describing its growth & culture & detailing the important work done in this connection by M. Louis Pasteur.
Mr. Cuttriss described with the help of diagrams the Marconi system of Wireless Telegraphy
Mr. Bellamy exhibited by means of the lantern & described a new photographic lens of great variety of focal change.
Mr. Clarkson read an essay on “Why I am an Evolutionist”
The paper and demonstrations were provocative of much interesting discussion.
Yeast plants were exhibited under microscope by Mr. Stiles.
Votes of thanks to those who took had contributed were passed on the proposition of Mr. Thomas, seconded by Mr. Moor.
Mar 25th, 1903
Committee Meeting held at 9 Priory Place
Present – Mr. Culpin in the chair & Mrs. Corbett & Messrs. Thomas, Clarkson, Jordan, & Cuttriss
The minutes of the last meeting were read & confirmed.
Mr. Stiles proposed & Mr. Cuttriss seconded, that the Soiree be held on the 16th instead of the 9th of April
The arrangements for the Conversazione to be in the hands of the following members
Refreshments – Mrs. Corbett & Mrs. Cuttriss
Microscopes – Messrs. Stile & Winter
Photographs – Messrs. Gledhill & Williamson
Electrical Apparatus – Messrs. Cuttriss & Wyld
Museum Exhibits – Messrs, Corbett & Gledhill
Gas Apparatus – Mr. Wilson
Other exhibits were offered by Messrs. Jordan & Moor
The selection of a lecturer to be left to Messrs. Corbett & Stiles.
Mr. Thomas offered to lecture to his Beeks(?) slides
Mr. Roberts lecture on Norway was suggested.
Programme
Open at 7.0 p.m.
Exhibits to be on view from 7 – 8 p.m.
Refreshments 9.0 p.m.
Concert 8.0 p.m.
Refreshments 9.0 p.m.
Close 10.0 p.m.
Tickets to be 1/- each to non-members. Members free
Circulars announcing the meeting & requesting the co-operation of members to be sent out in good time.
All entertainments to be in the Ball Room
Mr. Bellamy to be asked to manage the lantern
University Extension Lectures
The question of having a course of U. E. Lectures was discussed & it was decided to ventilate (?) the matter with a view of having a course during the early part of the year.
Suggestions were asked for the Summer Excursions.
There was a unanimous desire that York should be visited & that our Society should join the Y.N.U. excursion to Wharncliffe
Signed Alma Jordan
[Two pages have been blank. There appears to be missing reports]
Apr 14th, 1903
Committee Meeting held at 9 Priory Place on Tuesday April 14th, 1903
Present – Mr. Jordan in the chair, Mrs. Corbett & Messrs. Culpin, Stiles, Cuttriss, Gledhill, Hyde, Moor, Clarkson, & Corbett.
The minutes of the last committee meeting were read and confirmed.
It was proposed & carried, that Mr. S. E. Morley(?) be engaged to lecture at the conservazione at a fee of £2.3.0.
Arrangements for the conservazione
Tables to be 1 long at street side of Ball Room
1 at right angles to it at lower-end of room
1 down centre of Saloon
Proposed by Mr. Stiles, seconded by Mr. Hyde, & carried. That the members of the Grammar School Natural History Society be admitted at half price.
The Hon. Sec. to informally thank the Mayor & Artist’s for help in the success of the conversazione
Suggestions for business at the Annual General Meeting
Officers
President – Mr. A. A. Clarkson
Vice Presidents – Messrs. Jordan Stiles & Gledhill
Committee – Mrs. Corbett & Messrs. Culpin, Cuttriss, Bellamy, & Dufty
Recorders of Sections.
Photography – Mr. Williamson to replace Mr. Gordlestone(?)
Archaeology – Mr. Ballan to be omitted
Botany – Miss E. Ross to be added
Microscopy – Mr. Geo. Bisat to be added
Physics – Mr. Grace to be omitted
Representatives on Museum Committee – Messrs. Clarkson & Culpin
Signed H. Culpin 20 April 1903.
Apr 20th, 1903
Committee Meeting held at 9 Priory Place on Tuesday April 14th, 1903
Present – Mr. Culpin in the chair, Mrs. Stiles, Hyde, Cuttriss, Gledhill, & Corbett.
The minutes of the last committee meeting were read and confirmed.
The following notes on the Conservazione for future suggestions were made.
Members present – 50 members & 58 visitors, net cost £3.3.3.
The lecturer to be declared at some time before the date of meeting
Programme to be as follows
Exhibits 1 hour
Lecture 1 hour
Refreshments ½ hour
Concert ¾ hour
Refreshments to be on a long table in the Banqueting Room & volunteers for waiting on guests to be obtained.
Better lighting to be arranged for exhibits
“Please do not Touch” labels to be used.
The draft of Report & Balance Sheet was submitted
Mr. Hawksworth or Mr. Lister to be asked to audit accts.
Summer Excursions
The following places were suggested.
York, Wharncliffe, Ranskill to Gringley, & Mattersey, Finningley, & Blythe
Dates suggested
Whit Monday June 1st Ranskill etc.
Thursday June 18th Finningley
Saturday June 27th Elmsall to Upton etc.
The following names were submitted for membership
Mrs. McKenzie, Mr. Forth, Mr. Gundy & Mr. Metcalf
Signed A. A. Clarkson.
Apr 28th, 1903
Annual General Meeting 1903
This meeting was held in the County Cort Room, Guild Hall on Wednesday April 28th, 1903
Present – Mr. Culpin in the chair & 19 members.
The Hon. Sec. submitted the following Annual Report.
Ladies & Gentlemen.
It is with great satisfaction that your committee are enabled, once more, to place before you a report of the work of the Society, that will compare favourably with any of previous years.
The excursions held during the summer season were better attended than has been the case in former years, & although actual field work is still more confined to a few members than we would wish, yet there is no doubt that others who participate in the excursions, derive great pleasure from them.
The First Excursion was held on Whit Monday, May 19th & was only fitted for cyclists, the place visited being Maltby, Laughton, Dinnington, Anston, Carlton, Blyth, and the smaller villages en route. Considering the long distance to be covered, about 43 miles, & the unsettled weather at the time, the eight members & friends who took part had a most enjoyable day.
Objects of interest to Archaeology were found in the British Earthworks at Laughton, & in churches of Laughton, Carlton, & Blythe.
Geologists had a good opportunity of studying the Magnesian Limestone escarpment in relation to the Coal Measures at Laughton & Dinnington, & the outcrop of the same from below the Lias at Carlton.
The only Microscopist who accompanied the party gathered some interesting Diatomaceous material at Maltby.
Photographers found much for their plates or films in the churches.
The only work done by Zoologists was among the Coleoptera. Two species not being commonly being found viz. Stomis pumicatus & Pristonycha terricola
The Second Excursion to Kirkstall on Thursday June 12th, in which about 20 joined, was wholly of Archaeological interest, the fine views of the Abbey furnishing much material for study & photography.
The Third Excursion, a walk from Hampole to Doncaster. Held on Saturday June 21st although it failed in one of its chief objects, was of much interest.
Archaeologists had an opportunity of examining the Roman Road or Rigg.
Botanists, (& many of walkers on this ramble carried vascular), had a good day among the rich flora of the district, the most interesting item being the re-discovery of the rare Astragalus danicus in the station where it was recorded many years ago.
Geologists had in view the investigation of a quarry near Hampole when fine fossils of Permian age are to be found. In this they failed; but discovered another old working where characteristic fossils were found in fair numbers. These consisted of species of Mya, Axinus, Turbo, etc.
The Fourth Excursion to Roche Abbey on July 3rd was rendered especially interesting to Archaeologists by the presence of Mr. E. H. Ballan, who took a party round & described the meaning of what was to be seen, as only an expert could.
Entomologists had a fairly good time among both Lepidoptera & Coleoptera. The immense numbers of several species of the latter order on flowers being remarkable.
The Fifth Excursion consisted of an evening ramble to Balby Brickyard on Thursday July 10th. This was essentially a Geologists’ evening. The remarkable bed of “Till” was examined & its characteristic boulders were noted. No new records of eratics were made.
The Sixth Excursion in conjunction with the Y.N.U. to Finningley, Bawtry, etc. on Thursday July 16th was spoilt by an unceasing downpour of rain. A report of this excursion has already appeared in “The Naturalist”.
Doncaster Scientific Society
Annual Statement of Accounts
| Receipts | Expenditure | ||
| Subscriptions | Amount due to treasurer 18th April 1902 | 16 5 | |
| 1900-01 (3) | 10 6 | ||
| 1901-02 (15) | 2 12 6 | Stamps | 5 14 0 |
| 1902-03 (89) | 15 4 6 | Printing – Henderson | 3 1 6 |
| 1903-04 (3) | 10 6 | ||
| Reading Union (per A. A. Clarkson) | 1 16 4 | ||
| Flora of West Riding | 5 0 | ||
| Subscriptions | |||
| Soc. Protection of Birds | |||
| Y. N. U. (poll tax on membership roll) x 3 yrs | 1 5 10 | ||
| Y.N.U. Roebuck Testimonial | 1 1 0 | ||
| Lecturers Expenses | 13 6 | ||
| Hire of Rooms | 1 13 6 | ||
| Expenses of Conversazione | 3 3 3 | ||
| Balance in Bank | 17 0 5 | Lantern expenses (R. A. Bellamy) | 12 6 |
| Caretaker at Guild Hall | 5 0 | ||
| Balance due treasurer 21 Apr 1903 | 1 14 10 | Balance at Bank | 17 0 5 |
| 37 13 3 | 37 13 3 |
Examined with the vouchers & found correct J. W. Hainsworth 22/4/03
[Four blank pages follow]
Apr 27th, 1903
Committee Meeting held at 9 Priory Place
Present – Mr. Clarkson, President, in the chair, Mrs. Corbett & Messrs, Stiles, Moor, Culpin, Gledhill, Bellamy, Cuttriss, Thomas, & Corbett.
The minutes of the last meeting were read & confirmed.
It was proposed by Mr. Stiles, seconded by Mr. Gledhill & carried mem. Con. That a report of the transactions of the Society be printed & circulated annually.
The report to be not more than 2 pages, note-paper size.
Mr. D. Archer was nominates for membership
The following Excursion Programme was passed.
June 1st Ranskill for Gringley on the Hill
June 18th Finningley
June 27th South Elmsall for Upton
July 18th Conisbro’
August 13th Blythe
September 3rd Wharncliffe
Evening Rambles
June 4th Wadworth Wood
July 4th Rossington & Finningley
Signed A. A. Clarkson
July 8th, 1903
Committee Meeting held at 9 Priory Place
Present – Mr. Clarkson, President, in the chair, Mrs. Corbett & Messrs, Moor, Culpin, Gledhill, Cuttriss, & Corbett.
The minutes of the last meeting were read & confirmed.
Mr. Firth was nominated for membership
The forthcoming Winter Programme was discussed & the following dates were fixed for meeting & subjects
1903
Oct 14th – Presidential Address by A. A. Clarkson
Oct 28th – Radium by Messrs. Thomas & Cuttriss
Nov 11th – The Secret of the Pyramids by T. W. Plant
Nov 26th – Conversazione (Thornley on Gnats & Malaria)
Dec 9th – The Solar System by J. Cuttriss
1904
Jan 13th – Some Properties of Glass by Mr. Watson
Jan 27th – St. Kilda by Mr. Newstead
Feb 10th – Short Essays etc.
Feb 24th – Plant Diseases by Mr. English
Mar 9th
Mar 23rd
Apr 13th
Apr 27th – Annual Meeting
The following members were suggested for Essays on the short essay night.
Messrs. Crosbie, Phillips, Williamson, Moor, & Mapleton
The next meeting to be held is August 5th
Signed A. A. Clarkson.
Aug 5th, 1903
Committee Meeting held at 9 Priory Place
Present – Mr. Clarkson (President) in the chair, Mrs. Corbett & Messrs, Culpin, Gledhill, Cuttriss, Bellamy, Jordan, & Corbett.
The minutes of the last meeting were read & confirmed.
Proposed by Mr. Culpin, seconded by Mr. Gledhill, That Mr. Destead be engaged to give a lecture, that the public be admitted & that the lecturer’s fee be £2.2. 0.
Proposed bt Mr. Culpin, seconded by Mr. Bellamy, that the charge for admission to non-members be 6d. & that school children be admitted at 3d. each.
Proposed that Messrs. Greenslade, Selby, Robson, McClean & H, Thomas be asked to read papers.
Nominations for membership are as follows
Miss Breeze, Mr. Metcalf & Dr. Selby.
Signed A. A. Clarkson
Winter Session 1903-04
Oct 14th, 1903
A Meeting held at the County Court Room, Guild Hall on Wednesday Oct. 14th
Present – Mr. Clarkson (President) in the chair & 35 members & visitors.
The minutes of the last meeting were taken as read.
Sectional Reports
Botany
Mr. Green exhibited the leaf of a plant that he had found growing near a garden on the Carr. He described the plant as being edible fruit like those of a blackberry.
From Mr. Green’s description of the plant & from the appearance of the leaf, there is no doubt that it is some species of exotic Rubus.
Museum
Mr. Gledhill reported on recent additions to the Museum.
He President then gave his Address on “Local Museums”
The annexed report of the address is from the Doncaster Chronicle Oct 21st, 1903
[a paper cutting is pasted into the minute book at this point]
Doncaster Scientific Society
At the first meeting of the present session the president, Mr. A. A. Clarkson, gave an address on “Local Museums,” of which the following is a digest.
“That, in modern views of education, importance is laid on the knowledge of objects themselves, which should precede and supplement verbal descriptions – reading.
Much mental exertion is misspent because only imperfectly recall or suggest actual existences to the mind. This fact is the fundamental or psychological reason for the “museum,” which may be considered to optimize the past and present of man, and of the earth, thereby illuminating history and affording a compendium of external nature. Because of the more direct human interest local antiquities should have a prominent place in a museum., linking present generations with those past and making history a living thing.
This department of a museum should be easily formed in Doncaster, where so many evidences exist of Roman times. It was pointed out that museums do not exist to satisfy vulgar curiosity, but to provide material for scientific thought, and the educational value of a local museum is so great that it was earnestly hoped the Corporation would in the next extension of the town’s educational facilities provide a building worthy of the Town and adequate to its growing needs. Attention was called to the fact that many objects were now lost by reason of there being no public institution to receive and display.”
A very lively discussion, in which Messrs. Gledhill, Thomas, Corbett, Moor, Jorfdan, Stiles, Green, Bowskill, Mapleton, Watson & Greenslade took part, followed the reading of the address.
As an outcome, it was resolved that a deputation wait upon the Corporation for the purpose of urging upon them the necessity of providing an adequate museum for the town.
Signed A.A. Clarkson.
Oct 19th, 1903
Committee Meeting held at 9 Priory Place
Present – Mr. Clarkson in the chair, & Messrs, Moor, Gledhill, Cuttriss, Stiles, Bellamy, & Corbett.
The minutes of the last meeting were read & confirmed.
With regard to the necessary alterations in the programme, it was proposed by Mr. Stiles, seconded by Mr. Bellamy, carried. That November 25th be devoted to short essays, & that the Conversazione be held on Feb 11th if the Mansion House can be secured for that date, & if Mr. Thornley can come then.
Proposed by Mr. Culpin, seconded by Mr. Stiles & carried. That Mr. Robson be asked to read his essay on the Progress of Scientific Thought, on March 22nd
Proposed that a gummed slip announcing the changes be sent to members, Proposed Mr. Gledhill, seconded by Mr. Moor & carried.
It was proposed by Mr. Stiles, seconded by Mr. Moor, that an effort be made to get reports of meetings in the local press.
In respect to a deputation to the Corporation asking for increased Museum facilities, it was proposed by Mr. Bellamy, seconded by Mr. Moor, That the Museum committee be called & informed of the intention of the Society, that their support be asked, before the deputation be formed.
Proposed new members.
Messrs. Nichols & Wheaman(?)
Signed A. A. Clarkson
Oct 28th, 1903
An ordinary Meeting of the Society was held at the County Court Room. Guild Hall on Wednesday Oct 28th
Present – Mr Clarkson (President) in the chair & about 70 members & visitors.
Messrs. Nicholson & Wheaman(?) were elected members
Sectional Reports
Archaeology
Mr. Jordan exhibited some neolithic implements from the Yorkshire Coast.
Botany
Mr. Corbett mentioned the additions to the list of flowering plant of the district, made during 1903
Photography
Mr. Plant presented a photograph of a gravel pit near Ranskill
Zoology
Mr. Corbett noted the addition to the local collection of Coleoptera during the past session.
Mr. Clarkson read for Mr. Thomas an account of the discovery of Radium
Mr. Cuttriss shewed specimines & described the properties of this new element.
Much interesting discussion in which Messrs. Gledhill, Mapleton, Weston, Stikes, Corbett & Athron joined followed the reading & demonstration.
The following account of the meeting is from the Doncaster Gazette for 6/11/03
[a newspaper cutting is pasted into the minute book at this point]
An Evening with “Radium! At Doncaster
On the evening of the 28th ult. The members of the Doncaster Scientific Society had before them the subject of “Radium,” the recently discovered element which caused so much interest and speculation in the scientific world.
Radium has the properties of heat, electricity, and luminosity, emitting rays which are capable of passing trough solid substances, and has other remarkable peculiarities. The fact that its emanations continuously given forth have appeared not to appreciably affected its bulk, has led to the supposition that its discovery would render necessary the revision of the doctrine of the conservation of energy – difficult as it is to conceive of such a modification.
In an excellent paper prepared by the Rev. Halliwell Thomas, an interesting account of the discovery of “Radium” from an article in “Le Petit Parisien” at the time when Madame Curie, the discoverer, was about to receive recognition at the hand of the French Academy of Science.
This was followed by Mr. Cuttriss with a short paper, packed with information and dealing with more particularly with the physical and chemical properties of Radium and its mode of preparation. Mr. Cuttriss, in his remarks stated that the Pitchblende from which Radium is extracted contains 81 per. cent. of Uranium from the residual of which Radium is extracted. One ton of Pitchblende cost £1000 and as 1 ½ to 2 grains of Radium are all that van be derived from it, the new element can never be cheap.
A piece of Pitchblende was exhibited, and also a photograph made by the invisible rays which are continually being given off by this substance, and which act on the photographic film in a similar manner to the rays of light. Photographs taken through various metals were also exhibited, these having been produced by rays from Bromide of Radium. A small tube of this salt lent by Messrs. Reynolds and Branson, of Leeds, strongly illuminated a fluorescent screen, the light being distinctly visible across the room. The penetrative power of these rays was shown in the illumination of the screen after passing through solid metal of three half-crowns.
The spinthariscope also attracted a good deal of attention, this being a small instrument devised by Sir. William Crookes, F.R.S. by which the rays proceeding from a piece of Radium are made to impinge upon a sensitive screen. The electrons as they fly from the Radium (at a speed of 70.000 miles per second) strike the paper with sufficient force to produce bright sparks which by means of a lens can be seen to be shooting in all directions like stars in a black sky. This action is unceasing and is attended with no apparent diminution of the substance.
Public interest in the scientific discovery was evinced by the excellent attendance, there being an audience of over seventy members.
Signed A. A. Clarkson.
Nov 6th, 1903
Committee Meeting held at 9 Priory Place
Present – Mr. Clarkson in the chair, & Messrs. Culpin, Gledhill, Cuttriss, & Corbett.
The minutes of the last meeting were read & confirmed.
It was proposed that the deputation to the Corporation re improved Museum facilities consist of Messrs. Clarkson, Culpin, Cuttriss, Clanton, Grace & Corbett.
Mr. Gledhill presented a copy of “The Natural History of Repton” to the Society. The same was accepted, with thanks.
The following were nominated for membership.
Mr. Oakley & Dr. McLean.
Signed A. A. Clarkson.
Nov 11th, 1903
An Ordinary Meeting was held at the Albany Hotel on Wednesday 11th November 1903
Present – Mr. Clarkson in the chair & 50 members & visitors.
The minutes of the last meeting were read & confirmed.
Sectional Reports.
Geology
Mr. Corbett call attention to the numerous erratics at Gringley.
Microscopy
Mr. Stiles announced his intention of giving demonstrations of practical microscopy to members during the winter. He also remarked upon the results of the Wharncliffe excursion & the presence of Vaucheria at Edlington.
Museum
Mr. Gledhill announced addition to museum, consisting of a Viper, a Cackis(?) & a Spotted Crake.
Deputation to Corporation
The Hon. Sec. mentioned that the deputation had been received.
New Members
Mr. Oakley & Dr. McLean were elected members of the Society.
Mr. T. W. Plant read a paper entitled “A Theory of the Great Pyramid” of which the following report is taken from the Doncaster Chronicle for Nov. 20th, 1903
Messrs. Clarkson, Thomas, Crawshaw, Smithwhite, Stiles, & Jordan took part in the discussion.
[a newspaper cutting is posted into the minute book at this point]
A Theory of the Great Pyramid
This was the title of an interesting paper read before the Scientific Society on the evening of the 11th inst. By Mr. T. W. Plant.
The essay was a lucid exposition of the theory of Mr. Piazzi Smyth, who after prolonged investigation pronounced the Great Pyramid to have been built under Divine inspiration, and to symbolize many important truths regarding the history and destiny of mankind. The subject was admirably illustrated by some carefully drawn diagrams.
An interesting discussion followed the reading of the paper.
There was a good attendance of members, and Mr. Plant was cordially thanked for his skilful presentation of a celebrated theory.
Signed A. A. Clarkson
[a blank page followed these minutes]
Dec 1st, 1903
Committee Meeting held at 9 Priory Place
Present – Mr. Clarkson (President) in the chair, Mrs. Corbett & Messrs. Jordan, Moor, Bellamy, Cuttriss, & Corbett.
The minutes of the last meeting were read & confirmed.
Messrs. Carlton, Challener, Smithwhite, Simmonds were nominated for membership
The Hon. Sec. was instructed to obtain the use of any of the following rooms for the next meeting. Viz. Danum, Mansion House or Albany.
It was suggested that in the future in balloting new members, the ballot-box should be placed near the door & members should vote as they enter the room.
Signed A. A. Clarkson
Dec 12th, 1903 [the newspaper account has it taking place on the 9th Dec]
An Ordinary Meeting was held at the Mansion House on Wednesday December 11th, 1903
Present – Mr. Clarkson (President) in the chair & about 70 members & visitors.
The minutes of the last meeting were taken as read.
Sectional Reports.
None
New members elected
Messrs. Smithwhite, C. H. Carlton, Challener, & Smithwhite.
Mr. Cuttriss delivered a lecture on “The Evolution of the Solar System”
The lecture, which was full of interesting & instructive matter, was excellently illustrated by lantern slides.
The following digest id from the Doncaster Gazette 18/12/03
[a newspaper cutting is pasted into the minute book at this point]
Doncaster Scientific Society
At the usual fortnightly meeting of this society on Wednesday evening, the 9th inst., an excellent lecture on “The Evolution of the Solar System as revealed by modern astronomy,” was given by Mr. T. Cuttriss.
There was a good attendance of members, about eighty being present. By kind permission of the Mayor (Councillor Spencer), this meeting was held in the Mansion House.
Mr. Cuttriss’s lecture was an able resume of facts and conclusions respecting the contents of space. He explained that the nebulae which constitutes the raw materials of worlds, exist in every part of the heavens within the range of the modern microscope. About 120.000 of these have been observed in varying stages of development; some vast bodies of highly diffused and incandescent matter, others with a greater degree of condensation (spiral in form) in process of becoming worlds and systems of worlds. From the observations of these bodies astronomers inferred the past history of our own planet and solar system, Remarking on the distances in astronomy the lecturer pointed out that we could not get an adequate conception of the distance of the sun from the earth (93 million miles), but even this distance was relatively insignificant to those prevailing in the depths of the Stellar space.
The nearest fixed star, for instance, was distant 20million of million miles and to reach this would occupy three and a half years even if travelling at the speed of light (186.000 miles per second). Or, to vary the illustration, if an orange be placed on the floor of a room to represent the sun, a circle a yard in radius would represent the orbit of the earth, represented by a pin head. A circle of five yards would represent the path of Jupiter and one of ten yards Saturn. Bur supposing we wish to go outside of the solar system and represent, in accordance with the same scale, one of the fixed stars, we should need to go into the mid-Atlantic or to the middle of Europe to fix the point to represent this vastly more distant heavenly body.
In describing in greater detail, the evolution of the solar system, Mr. Cuttriss pointed that Neptune, now distant from the sun three thousand six hundred million miles, was the first body to be flung off from the primeval nebulae. Saturn, with its eight satellites and two rings, was referred to as the most glorious and wonderful sight to be seen in the heavens. The moon was shown to have originally been part of the same mass as the earth and to have broken away from that body after its separation from the nebulae of the solar system.
The opinion was advanced that sun spots were not the cause of bad weather but affected the earth’s magnetic condition very considerably. Mr. Cuttriss referred to the various instruments of astronomical research, notably the telescope, spectroscope and photographic plate, and showed views of the great Yerkes observatory, which possesses the largest refracting telescope in the world. The whole lecture was well illustrated by lantern slides.
During the evening sympathetic references was made to the death of Mr. Herbert Spencer.”
An interesting discussion, somewhat cramped for want of time & a vote of thanks to Mr. Cuttriss, concluded the meeting.
Signed A. A. Clarkson.
Jan13th, 1904
An Ordinary Meeting of the Society was held at the County Court Room, Guild Hall on Wednesday January 13yth, 1904
Present – Mr. Clarkson (President) in the chair & 28 members & visitors.
The minutes of the last meeting were read & confirmed
The following new member was elected.
Mr. G. Wiles.
Sectional Reports
Geology
Mr. Culpin reported that since the last meeting some very interesting field work had been done by himself & other members of the Geological section.
Firstly. At Balby, between Littlemoor Lane & the G.C. line, a section had been examined which showed the Upper Magnesian Limestone, capped by Bunter Sandstone.
Secondly. At the same place, numerous fossils were found in a bed near the top of the Upper Limestone., & the same bed had been found with its fossils in several exposures about Hexthorpe Flats.
This is the first time that fossils have been found in the Upper Limestone in this locality. The species appear to be identical with those of the fossil bed in the Lower Limestone, & consist of Terebratula elongata, Axinus sp., Mya sp., & Turbo Helenius.
Zoology
Mr. Corbett exhibited a specimine of the December Moth (Poecilocampa populi) taken a few says previously by Mr. Stiles in his shop in Frenchgate.
Mr. Watson delivered a very interesting lecture on “The discovery of the constituent gasses of the Atmosphere”
The following short summary is from the Doncaster Gazette (22/1/04)
[a newspaper cutting is pasted in the minute book at this point]
“An interesting lecture on “The Discovery of the Gasses of the Atmosphere” was given before the members of the Doncaster Scientific Society on Wednesday the 13th inst. By Mr. Robert Watson, Gas Works Manager.
Ina very clear and interesting manner, Mr. Watson summarized the successive investigations by Rutherford, Black, Priestly, Lavoisier, Cavandish, Sir William Ramsay, and Lord Rayleigh, by which our present knowledge of the constituents of the atmosphere has been built up.
The lecture was illustrated by diagrams and experiments and was listened to with marked attention by a good audience. A hearty vote of thanks was accorded to Mr. Watson at the close”
A discussion in which Messrs. Stiles, Athron, Clarkson, Corbett, & Grace took part & a vote of thanks to the lecturer terminated the meeting.
Signed A. A. Clarkson.
Jan 18th, 1904
Committee Meeting held at 9 Priory Place
Present – Mr. Clarkson (President) in the chair, Mrs. Corbett, & Messrs. Stiles. Moor, Cuttriss, Bellamy, & Corbett.
The minutes of the last meeting were read & confirmed.
Re Mr. Newstead’s lecture
It was proposed by Mr. Bellamy, seconded by Mr. Stiles.
That the Guild Hall be hired for the lecture & failing this, that the Dolphin Chambers Room be hired.
It was proposed by Mr. Stiles, seconded by Mr. Bellamy.
That a charge of 6d each be made for non-members & that pupils at school be admitted at 3d each.
It was proposed that hand bills be circulated & that advertisements be sent to the Chronicle & Gazette.
Re the Reading Stand
It was proposed by Mr. Bellamy, seconded by Mr, Cuttriss.
That a Reading desk be purchased before the date of the next lecture, at a cost not to exceed £2. 2s
The following books were purchased for the Society
Viz. The Year Book of Scientific & learned Societies.
The Naturalists Directory
Signed A. A. Clarkson
.