The Doncaster Microscopical Society
13 High Street, Doncaster
With the view of forming a Microscopical Society in Doncaster a preliminary meeting was held in this house on Monday February 9 1880 J.M. Kirk, Fred Milner & M.H. Styles being present at which it was resolved that the formation of such a Society was desirable & that steps should be taken to establish it.
A Circular was then drawn up which was afterwards printed and distributed and the founders had the satisfaction of learning from many sources that their proposal was satisfactory received.
The first Conversational meeting was held on Monday Feby 16 at which 10 persons were present.
There was a good display of microscopes & objects & great interest appeared to be taken in the proceeding affording encouragement sufficient to justify the founders in carrying on this work.
A general meeting was fixed for the following Thursday at which the committee was appointed & the Secretary instructed to draw up & issue a programme for the remainder of the half year.
This programme has been placed in the hands of every member & of those who are likely to be interested in the objects of the Society. It contained a short preliminary address, a list of the officers of the Society, a list of meetings with the papers to be read at them & the rules agreed upon at the General Meeting.
It is a source of great gratification to the founders to be able to announce, on March 1st, that 27 members have already joined the Society, & that there is every prospect of it being a success if each member will exert himself to aid its progress.
| Session 1 | 1880 |
|---|---|
| President | Rev Canon Brock |
| Vice Presidents | Rev W.R. Weston |
| J.B. Willingham MRCS | |
| Committee | Rev W. Smith |
| J.M. Kirk | |
| F. Milnes | |
| W. Walker MRCS | |
| Geo. Winter | |
| Secretary & Treasurer | M.H. Stiles |
The First ordinary Meeting was held on Wednesday March 3rd (1880) the Rev Canon Brock (President) in the chair. These were also present, the Rev W.R. Weston & Mr. Withington (Vice Presidents) and eighteen other members.
In his opening remarks the President alluded to the great gratification it afforded him to be present at the first meeting of the Society which appeared to be an eminently successful one. On entering the room he was quite struck with the array of instruments on the table, and doubted not, that with such appliances much valuable work would be done. The formation of this Society had given him great pleasure and it was a very satisfactory thing that in Doncaster a means had been provided of engaging in a study so elevating to the mind & by which such an insight into the work of God could be obtained as by the microscope. If the discovery of the telescope had given evidence of the insignificance of our own planet as compared with other worlds the subsequential discovery of the microscope had quite compensated for this by revealing the marvelous beauty of almost everything around & beneath us. He thanked the members for placing him in the position of president & observed that he should endeavor to be present as often as he could.
The Secretary was then called upon to read his paper on “The microscope and how to use it”.
Having described the general construction of the microscope especially pointing out the advantages of that form of instrument in which the body is supported for a considerable portion of its length by a curved arm, the Secretary noted in detail the use of each part & showed how the various pieces of apparatus should be arranged to secure good results during observations.
Stages & Condensers of different forms were exhibited and their peculiarities pointed out. The process of measuring & of sketching minute objects were also attended to.
In the second part of his paper the Secretary gave a general description of the method of mounting opaque objects more especially those requiring the protection of a cell and gave particulars of a simple plan of preparing cardboard rings for that purpose. After a few remarks by the President a vote of thanks was proposed to the lecturer & the meeting then resolved into a conversazione.
Wednesday, March 17 1880
Conversational Meeting
Seventeen members were present. There was a good display of microscopes & a variety of interesting objects were shown.
Thursday March 25 1880
Committee Meeting
Present : Messrs. Kirk, Milnes, Stiles, & Walker.
The committee met for the purpose of deciding whether a conversazione should be held in April or not. After some discussion Mr. Walker proposed & Mr. Milnes seconded “That the Conversazione be postponed until October as it is thought that that would me a more desirable time for holding it than the present”.
Messrs. Milnes, Stiles & Walker voted for & Mr. Kirk against the proposition.
Wednesday April 7 1880
Ordinary Meeting
The Rev W. Smith in the chair.
Eleven members present.
Mr. J.M. Kirk proposed & Mr. Cowley seconded that Mr. Curtis be a member of the Society.
The Chairman then called upon Mr. F. Milner to read his paper on “The origin of Chalk as shown by the microscope”.
Mr. Milner, after describing the extent & thickness of the chalk deposit pointed out its relationship to other formations & mentioned many of the larger fossils in it. Chalk is essentially Carbonate of Lime & for the most part consists of the fossil shells of minute animals known as Foraminifera. At the present time a vast bed of chalk is being formed by these tiny creatures at the bottom of the Atlantic; the mud brought up by the sounding lead being found by the microscope to be composed chiefly of the shells of two or three species of these interesting organisms associated with the remains of others (Coccosphere) of still simpler structure; these remains are easily identical with those found in the older chalk proving that the two deposits have a similar origin & that in all probability one is a continuation of the other.
A discussion followed in which Messrs. Smith, Stiles & F. Milner took part. After a vote of thanks to the Lecturer the meeting resolved itself into a conversazione.
Wednesday April 21 1880
Conversational Meeting
Thirteen members were present.
In addition to several other objects of interest, a specimen of Melicerta ringens was exhibited by Mr. J.M. Kirk.
Wednesday May 5, 1880
Ordinary Meeting.
The Rev W.R. Weston in the chair (Vice-president).
Twenty two members & visitors were present.
Mr. Curtiss was elected a member of the Society.
The chairman then called upon Mr. J.M. Kirk to read his paper on “Animal Life in its Lower Form”.
Mr. Kirk introduced the subject in an exceedingly intelligible & rational manner by pointing out the differences between dead & living bodies as to their chemical composition, arrangement of parts, form, mode of increase & periodical changes. He then proceeded to speak of the essential characters of plant & animal, observing that these two great divisions of nature, in their lowest form glided almost insensibly one into the other, so that it became a matter of some difficulty to draw a line between them.
Animals generally have the powers of moving from place to place, whilst plants as a rule have not, though this distinction is not always correct, as some of the lower orders of plants – such as Diatoms & Desmids – possess locomotive powers and many varieties of animals, chiefly aquatic, are fixed more or less to some support in the medium in which they exist.
Animals also differ very considerably from plants in their food. The former consuming organic & the latter inorganic matter; plants in fact being great producers & animals great consumers. Mr. Kirk then gave a detailed description of some most interesting examples of the lower animals, directing attention to their habits, mode of reproduction, & special points in their structure. This part of the paper was illustrated by a series of very beautiful drawings, sketched by himself, much additional interest being created thereby.
The paper was followed by a discussion.
A vote of thanks to Mr. Kirk was proposed by the chairman & seconded by Mr. F Wilkes after which the members resolved itself into a conversazione.
The fourth ordinary meeting was held on Wednesday June 2, 1880
Rev W.R. Weston (Vice President) in the chair.
14 members & visitors were present
2 nominations for membership were made. The chairman announced that two donations of slides for the Society’s cabinet had been received, one consisting of 140 objects from Mr. Lister, the other of 6 objects from Mr. J.W. Kirk. The best thanks of the meeting were accorded to the donors.
Mr Walker then read a paper on the “Structure of the Organs of Locomotion in Man”. After directing attention to the very important part performed by bone in the foundation of the human body, he mentioned the varieties of bone employed in the construction of this framework. The outer shell of bone is hard & dense like ivory, & the inner portion light & spongy.
It consists of an organic substance (gelatine) & inorganic matter (chiefly phosphate and carbonate of lime). By treating bone with dilute Hydrochloric Acid, the inorganic matter may be removed leaving a soft pliable substance which remains the original shape; if however, it be boiled in water the gelatinous portion is dissolved, leaving the mineral matter which is hard and also retains the primary form.
Mr. Walker then carefully described the minute structure of ‘Bone’, illustrating his remarks by reference to numerous specimens which were exhibited under several microscopes. He also gave an account of the method by which these were prepared for examination.
The second part of Mr. Walker’s paper treated the structure of the variety of muscles employed in controlling the organs of locomotion. A vote of thanks to the author of the paper was proposed by thge chairman and seconded by Dr. Mitchell-Wilson. An interesting discussion followed.
The Fifth ordinary meeting was held on Wednesday evening Oct 20 1880.
The Rev. W. Smith in the chair
Mr. J.W. Smith & the Rev. R.M. Willingham were elected members of the Society & the following gentlemen were proposed. C. Parkin, G.D. Selby, Maincock, E. Easterfield, G.H. Oliver, W.T. Jackson, W.T. Reader.
Nine members were present.
Mr. Stiles read a paper on mounting microscopic objects.
He began by exhibiting & describing the apparatus & materials used in preparing & mounting objects for the microscope. & then gave the composition of the various media employed for the same purpose & a list of the Varnishes & Cements.
As an example of mounting, he chose a wood section & cut one of these the 1/300 inch thick. A similar one, which had been previously bleached & prepared by successive macerations in Spirit oil of Cajeput & Turpentine, was then mounted in Canada Balsam after which the meeting terminated.
Nov 3 1880
Conservational Meeting
Seven members present
Mr Stiles, having been requested to do so at the previous meeting, gave further examples of the process of mounting, choosing as his subjects a wood section in Glycirine Jelly and a diatom in Balsam.
Wednesday Nov 17 1880
Ordinary Meeting
The sixth ordinary meeting was held on the above date.
Mr J.B. Withington (Vice President) in the chair.
Sixteen members were present.
The following gentlemen were elected members of the Society – Charles Parker, G.D. Selby, — Mannock, Ed. Easterfield, George W. Oliver, W.T. Jackson, W.T. Reader. Mr. Forth was proposed as a member.
A Paper on ” Germs” was then read by Dr. J. Mitchell Wilson.
In the course of his remarks Dr. Wilson drew attention to the very important part played in nature by the group of excessively minute bodies known as Bacteria: these are so small as to require the highest powers of the best instruments for this special study and yet some of the most intricate problems in relation to health & disease are associated with their presence and development. He instanced an outbreak of a form of fever which occurred some time ago in Berlin & which upon careful examination was found to be associated with the presence in the blood of immense numbers of Spirilla in active motion.
To prove the correctness of the supposition that the fever was due to these, a willing person was inoculated with blood from a diseased one. Fever of a similar kind was the result.
It has also been shown that Sphenic Fever, which attacks animals & is very destructive, was due to Bacteria.
The Pulsefactive changes which are constantly going on around us are in a great measure carried by germs of Bacteria & other allied organisms.
Milk exposed to the air receives germs, which are invariably present in the atmosphere at all seasons, and changes are induced which result in the milk curdling & becoming sour. The week before the lecture, 2 samples of milk had been boiled (to make sure of their becoming sterile) in separate flasks: The milk of one flask was plugged whilst boiling, with cotton wool. The neck of the other was left open. The cotton wool acting as a filter kept out germs & this sample which was open at the meeting was found to be quite sweet. The other, which had been freely exposed to the air, had undergone the usual changes & on being examined after the lecture was seen to swarm with a special form of Bacteria (B. lachis).
Similar instances of decomposition were enumerated & the results exhibited under several microscopes.
The paper was illustrated with some beautifully executed sketches of various forms of Bacteria & other organisms. A good discussion followed after which a vote of thanks to the lecturer was proposed by the Rev. W. Smith & seconded by Mr. Stiles.
Conversational Meeting
Dec 1, 1880
Seven members present.
Ordinary Meeting
Dec 15, 1880
The Seventh ordinary meeting was held on Dec 15.
Mr J.M. Kirk in the chair.
Ten members were present.
Mr. Forth was elected a member of the Society.
Dr. J.M. Wilson proposed and the Rev. W. Smith seconded the nomination of Mr. Barry.
In the absence of Mr. F. Milner, whose name was down for a paper on Foraminifera, Mr. Stiles introduced a discussion on the subject by reading a few notes on the leading characters of this important group of animals.
After explaining the meaning of the name ‘Foraminifera’ he enumerated & described some of the more common forms, giving an account of their mode of growth, the structure of their shells, and their habitat. He also noticed the chief features of the two classes into which they may be divided. These which are termed respectively Porcelaneous & Vitreous are founded upon certain corresponding characters furnished by the shells in one case being white & square in the others more or less transparent.
Mr Stiles drew attention to Sponge Sand as containing many beautiful forms of Foraminifera & thereby furnishing excellent material for microscopic study especially for beginners. He also described the method of mounting Foraminifera in Balsam.
An excellent discussion followed in which most of the members present took part. A vote of thanks to Mr. Stiles was proposed by (blank) and seconded by (blank) after which the meeting resolved itself into the usual conversazione at which various slides illustrating the papers were exhibited.
Conversational Meeting
Wednesday Jan 5 1881
Five members present
January 19 1881
The Eighth ordinary meeting was held on the above date.
The Rev. W. Smith in the chair.
Seven members were present.
Mr. Barry was elected a member of the Society and Mr. Shotten Snr. was nominated.
The secretary announced that the following periodicals were now available for circulation among the members, “Nature”, “Science Gossip”, “The Northern Minerologist” and the Journal of the Quekett Microscopical Club. These would be distributed in rotation to those members who desired them and who signified the same to the secretary. Two days would be allowed for reading each number.
Mr. J.M. Kirk read a paper on the “Lower Forms of Animal Life”, being a continuation of that given by him during the last session. After giving an interesting resume of the researches of Ehrenberg and other more recent observations, he proceeded to describe and explain the leading characters of the important class of miniature aquatic animals known as Rotifers or wheel animalcules.
These derive their name from the occurrence of a fringe of hairs or cilia round the mouth. The peculiar appearance of this fringe in motion (resembling a revolving wheel) is due to the rapid alternate rise and fall of the hairs of which it is composed. This serves the double purpose of locomotion and of creating in the surrounding water currents which convey to the mouth of the animal the food upon which it subsists.
Several other interesting animalcules were also described and their peculiarities pointed out. The paper was illustrated by a number of very beautiful and effective drawings. A good discussion followed, after which a vote of thanks to Mr. Kirk was proposed by the Rev. W. Smith and seconded by Dr. J. Mitchell Wilson.
Wednesday Feb 2 1881
Conversational Meeting
Four members present
Mr. Kirk exhibited a series of 24 Zoophytes unmounted. Mr. F. Milner showed the circulation of the blood in the Fresh Water Shrimp & Mr. Stiles referred to the composition of the material known as Silica a preparation from which placed under the microscope proved that it consisted chiefly of the remnants of diatoms.
Wednesday Feb 16 1881
Ninth Ordinary Meeting
Dr. Mitchell Wilson was in the chair
Nine members present.
In the absence of Mr. W. Roberts, who was prevented by illness from giving his paper on “The structure of the Blow-fly” the secretary took his place, and introduced what proved to be an interesting discussion, buy reading some notes on the same subject, illustrating them by the exhibition of slides showing various portions of the blow-fly. The aeration of the blood is provided for, not as in higher animals by lungs, but by a system of delicate branching tubes called trachea, diffused through every part of the insect, and opening outwards by means of tiny pores, known as spiracles. A portion of one of the compound eyes was shown, and its structure described. In the blow-fly there are two of these clusters, each consisting of about 2,000 little eyes, and having a facetted appearance externally.
A very fine preparation of the tongue or proboscis was also shown, and its beautiful structure described. The other parts of the insect exhibited were the ovipositor, antenna, wings and feet. The way in which the fly walks upon any surface even in opposition to the force of gravitation was a topic of discussion, some speakers being in favour of the theory that the fly clings by a process of suction, others that it is by the exudation of a sticky liquid, which is known to be present on the feet, and which gives to the insect, for the time being, the power to attach itself to anything it places its feet on – the writer of the paper leaning towards the opinion that a fly adheres by the two methods combined. The paper was also illustrated by a carefully executed sketch of the insect by Mr. J.M. Kirk, and some photographs of the proboscis.
Wednesday Mar 16, 1881
Tenth Ordinary meeting.
The Rev. Canon Brock (president) in the chair.
11 members present.
Mr. Tindall was nominated by Mr. J.M. Kirk & seconded by Mr. Stiles.
The Rev. W. Smith read a paper on the “Cellular tissue of plants”
Mr. Smith stated that owing to the very wide range of the subject, he should confine himself to noticing a few of the more general forms of cells and their distribution.
It was estimated that nearly half of the vegetable kingdom, comprising lichens, fungi, and algae consisted of cellular tissue only. Of the remainder, the principal part of mosses, and of leaves, pith bark and seeds were composed mainly of cellular tissue. In the earlier periods of the earth’s history, cellular plants comprised by far the greater part of vegetation.
The growth and multiplication of cells were explained, and the chief varieties alluded to, sketches of many of the more interesting forms being exhibited, and the plants furnishing them, enumerated.
The paper was also illustrated by a number of carefully mounted preparations of different tissues, these lending additional interest to the subject.
A vote of thanks to Mr. Smith was proposed by the chairman and seconded by Mr. Walker.
Wednesday April 20 1881
Eleventh Ordinary meeting
The Rev. Canon Brock (President) in the chair.
Six members were present.
Mr. Tindall was elected a member of the Society.
Mr. Stiles read a paper on “The preparation & staining of wood sections”
The process of cutting these was fully described and many details connected with it explained both verbally and experimentally. Before being stained sections of wood require bleaching, and attention was drawn to the usual method of doing this. The purpose of staining is twofold – not only is the natural beauty of the wood greatly increased, but also its minute structure is much more permanently brought out. Thus, when two colours are used in staining a section of a young stem of oak, the woody portion of the stem will take one colour and the pith and bark another and this selection of colour is of considerable value in studying the structure & determining the constituents of a stem.
Mr. Stiles gave a detailed account of the processes of single & double staining in various colours illustrating his paper by the exhibition of various objects treated according to the methods described.
A vote of thanks to the author of the paper was proposed by the chairman & seconded by Mr. Branson, after which the meeting terminated in the usual conversazione.
May 15 1881
Twelfth Ordinary meeting.
The Rev. W. R. Weston (Vice president) in the chair.
(no report included.)
Second Annual Report
In presenting the second annual report of the Doncaster Microscopical Society your committee is pleased to be able to record a fair increase in its numerical strength: during the past year 9 new members have been added & four lost through leaving the town. The society at the end of the past session consisted of 43 members & had now a balance of £4. 16. 3.
The committee desired again to record their sense of great kindness of Mr. Kirk in allowing them the free use of this room thereby considerably reducing the working expenses.
One of the leading features of the past session was a very successful conservazione in the early part of October at which over 200 ladies and gentlemen from the town and neighborhood were present. A special fund was raise to meet the expenses of this entertainment so as to interfere as little as possible with the general fund, and with the exception of about 18/- the total cost was thus met.Eight papers have been read during the session most of them on subjects of considerable practical value & they have been in nearly every case followed by interesting discussions.
It is a matter of regret that the average attendance at the ordinary meetings has been only 11 as compared with 17 during the first short session.
In conclusion the committee earnestly invite the cooperation of each individual member in furthering the objects of the society by regular attendance at the meetings by taking up some special branch of study & by enlisting the sympathy of their friends not only in microscopical work but in science generally.
General Meeting
October 5 1881
Seven members were present.
The statement of accounts showing a balance in hand of £4 16 3 were presented by the Hon Secretary and Treasurer.
The following gentlemen were elected as members as members of the committee
President – The rev. Canon Brock
Vice presidents – The Rev. W.R. Weston. The Rev. G Smith, Dr. J.M. Wilson
Committee – J. Cowley, J.M. Kirk. J.W. Smith LRCPL, Rev. W. Smith, Mr. A.G. Tindall, W. Walker MRCS, Geo Winter,
Hon Secretary & Treasurer – Mr. W. Stiles.
The report, as above, was read.
The Rev. Canon Brock presided.
It was resolved that the meetings be held every other Wednesday from October to May in place of the first and third Wednesdays.
Resolved that 4 lamps be purchased for the use of the society.
Resolved that the new edition of Carpenter on the Microscope be purchased & that the new edition of the Micrographic Dictionary be taken in parts (monthly) until complete.
Resolved that new members may be proposed at one meeting & elected at the next whether they be general or conversatioonal.
The rules were altered in accordance with these resolutions.
Balance Sheet
| Balance Sheet | ||
|---|---|---|
| Payments | ||
| General Account | ||
| Printing | 2. 15. o | |
| Periodicals & books | 1. 12. 0 | |
| Correspondence | 14. 1 | |
| Tables & Covers | 2. 18. 3 | |
| Candles | 7. 6 | 8. 6. 10 |
| Conversazione Account | ||
| Printing | 18. o | |
| Correspondence | 1. 1. 11 | |
| Piano | 10. 4 | |
| Plants | 12. 0 | |
| Carriage | 14. 6 | |
| Attendants | 2. 1. 6 | |
| Provisions etc. | 5. 6. 6 | 11. 4. 11 |
| Cash in hand | 16. 3 | |
| Cash in bank (savings) | 4. 0. 0 | |
| total | 24. 8. 0 | |
| Receipts | ||
| 46 subs at 5/-, 20 at 2/6 | 14. 0. 0 | |
| Special Do for Conversazione | 10. 8. o | |
| total | 24. 8. o |
Committee Meeting Friday Oct 7 1881
Present Rev. W. Smith, Rev. G Smith, Dr. J.M. Wilson, J.W. Smith, J. Cowley, J.M. Kirk, M.H. Stiles (Hon Sec).
It was rsolve to send a circular to the principle residents in the town & neighbor hood calling their attention to the extension of the Scope of the Society & asking for their cooperation. A form of Circular was drawn up at the meeting. The Programme for the session was also filled up.
Ordinary Meeting Oct 19 1881
The Rev. Canon Brock (President) in the chair.
Fifteen members present.
Messrs. John Ballinger, Alfred Knight, & Charles Herbert Loxley, who had been duly proposed & seconded at the previous meeting were elected members of the society.
Five gentlemen were proposed & seconded.
A highly interesting and instructive lecture on Electricity was then given by Mr. Cowley. The subject was treated under these heads – the Nature, Kinds & Effects of Electricity.
It was shown that Electricity is not a distinct form of matter but, like heat is a condition of matter and that all substances may be brought into this condition.
Frictional – Electricity is that produced by the rubbing together of any two substances – hence the brushing of the coat of an assistant placed upon an insulating stool caused the leaves of a gold leaf Electroscope to diverge.
Voltaic – Electricity is that set free by chemical action, thus when any two metals are placed in a liquid which has a stronger chemical action upon one metal than the other, a current of Electricity is produced if the metals be made to touch either inside or outside the liquid. A needle and a pin upon being immersed in an inkpot & then connected with each other by a wire or other conductor caused a deflection of the needle of an astatic galvanometer placed in the circuit.
Magneto – Electricity was shown to be that produced by the movement of a magnet in proximity to a wire-covered piece of Iron or magnet – the current set up in the wire being momentary & in alternate directions & depending upon the character of the movement in the inducing magnet.
Therma – Electricity is the name given to the Electricity produced by the heating of the junction of two dissimilar metals.
Induced Electricity designates that caused by a coil of wire carrying a current in another coil of wire placed near it. These induced currents are momentary and depend, as regards frequency, tension, and direction, upon the movement of the current carrying wire or alterations in the strength or duration of the currents traversing it.
A Groves Battery of 20 cells which had been set up in an adjoining room was used to show experimentally some of the effects of Voltaic Electricity, the effects being thus classified – Chemical, Physiological, Heating and Luminous, the later being demonstrated by the production of the Electric Light.
A vote of thanks to Mr. Cowley was proposed by the chairman & carried unanimously.
Conversational Meeting Nov 2 1881
Eight members present
Attention was drawn to the delay in starting the work of the evening at the Essay meeting & it was resolved to begin punctually at 8.30 the chairman to open the meeting at that time.
It was resolved to read the minutes at the conversational meeting instead of at the Essay meeting. Several interesting objects were exhibited under the instruments of those members who were present.
General Meeting Nov 16 1881
The Rev. Canon Brock in the chair.
Fourteen members present.
The Rev. W.R. Hanman & Messrs. H. Somerset, B.S. Blundell, H. Brundell & F. Rainton who had been duly nominated & seconded at the previous meeting were elected members of the society.
Ten other gentlemen were proposed.
The Rev. W Smith M.A. then read a very valuable paper on the “Leaves of Plants”
After remarking upon the universal presence of leaves or their equivalents, and their absolute necessity to plants, the interesting structure of a leaf was described and the functions of their various parts explained. Modifications exhibited by plants existing under special conditions were noted and reasons given for such variations from the normal type. An account followed of the hairs and glands, and their utility to plant life was shown in some instances, but the lecturer remarked that the cause of the many variations in this form and structure were still in great part obscure.
The influence of vegetation upon the climate and upon the atmosphere were alluded to; the appendages of the leaf, e.g. the Stipules and Leaf-stalk , were described, and it was suggested that students of science should not content themselves simply with seeing facts & phenomena but should energise into the ” why and wherefore” of things taking as an example such a book as Sir John Lubbock’s “Wild Flowers in their relationship to Insects”.
In the discussion that followed allusion was made to the absorption and exhalation of gasses by the leaves of plants: this process, in which Carbonic Acid is taken in and Oxygen evolved, being most vigorous under the influence of sunlight, less so in diffused daylight, and ceasing or nearly so in darkness. Another point however it was noted that the opinions of observers varied, some thinking that the process which took place by day was reversed at night.
Attention was also drawn to the influence exercised by the presence of Trees upon the Rainfall of the district in which they grew: the distribution of forests being followed by a diminished supply of rain & vice versa.
A vote of thanks to the author of the paper terminated the meeting.
Committee Meeting Nov 18 1881
Present – Rev. Canon Brock, Rev. G. Smith, Messrs. J.M. Kirk, M.H. Stiles & G. Winter.
It was proposed by the Rev. G. Smith seconded by Canon Brock & resolved that the following resolution be brought before a general meeting of the Society. The Secretary was therefore requested to convene a general meeting for Wednesday Nov. 30. The following printed notice was accordingly sent out.
A Special General Meeting of the Doncaster Microscopical & General Scientific Society will be held at 13 High Street on Wednesday evening next, at 8.30, to consider a Resolution passed at the last Committee Meeting “That Ladies be admitted members of the society on an equality with Gentlemen”
Special General Meeting Nov 30 1881
Dr. J. Mitchell Wilson (Vice President) in the chair.
Eighteen members present.
The following gentlemen who had been duly nominated and seconded at the previous meeting were elected members of the Society – The Hon. F. Eden, Messrs. W.J. Arnot, J.M. Axe, S.S. Blackburn, F. Greaves, N.A. Herbert, F.R.G.S., F. Robin, G.E. Scudmore, W. Sykes, C. Thwaites.
Two gentlemen were proposed.
The following resolution, which had been passed by the committee, was then brought before the meeting by the Rev. G. Smith and supported by Dr. J.M. Wilson. “That ladies be admitted members of the Society on an equality with Gentlemen”. It was unanimously agreed to. The meeting then resolved itself into the usual Conservazione.
Ordinary Meeting Dec 14 1881
The Rev. Canon Brock (President) in the chair.
Nineteen members were present
Messrs. P. Thelluson & S.C. Somerville were elected members
Dr. J. Mitchell Wilson read a paper on Climate & Disease.
After giving several definitions of Climate, the effects of the sun in heating the earths surface & from that the atmosphere were noticed, and the different powers of land and sea to absorb and to retain the heat of the suns rays were compared.
The great power of the Sea as a carrier of heat was explained by the action of the well known Gulf Stream and its effects upon the climates of the British Islands; e.g. it was shown by a map that the isothermal lines (or lines of equal temperature) of 40deg & 0f 50 deg Fahr. are carried in these islands several degrees further north than on the European Continent or in America.
The origin & cause of the precipitation of rain & vapor were next explained, and a map coloured according to the local rainfall in the whole of Great Britain & Ireland, kindly lent by Mr. Symons was exhibited.
The action of wind as a carrier of heat and moisture or of cold air and its power in producing fogs was mentioned, along with the influence of lessened barometric pressure in the climate of high altitudes.
Of the local climatic observations Messrs. B.S. Brundell, W. Clark and Howorth had kindly given Dr. Wilson some interesting facts of the rainfall, temperature etc. in Doncaster & neighborhood.
A short reference was also made to the power engineering works have had in altering some climatic conditions and thereby lessening the extent of such diseases as phthisis & ague. It was pointed out that the particulars of the rainfall, temperature, actual moisture present in the air, the direction & velocity of the wind, with other observations, are wanted before a satisfactory answer can be given to the query – “what is the climate of any district” – and that many important towns are yet without these complete observations.
An interesting discussion followed after which a vote of thanks was proposed to Dr. Wilson for his highly instructive & suggestive paper.
Conservational Meeting Dec 28 1881
Eight persons, including two ladies (Mrs. Smith & Mrs. Easterfield), present.
A number of slides were exhibited by Mr. Stiles under Polarised light.
Mr. F.W. Masters was elected as member.
Ordinary Meeting Jan 11 1882
Dr. J. Mitchell Welson in the chair
18 members present
Mr. T. S Verity was elected a member.
Mr. W. Walker M.R.C.S. read a paper on the “Physical Characters of Wales”.
The point at which Water assumes a solid condition is below the ordinary temperature of the earth. Ice occupies more space than water from which it is formed and it is this expansion of water in freezing that causes the breaking of our pipes & water jugs.
The force thus developed is very great – iron cannons half in inch thick having been easily cracked by it. This expansion also renders Ice lighter than water & causes it to float on the surface ; were it not so, ice when formed , would be deposited at the bottom of our lakes & rivers which would gradually become a solid mass involving the destruction of nearly all life in them.
The freezing point of water is lowered by pressure and on this fact depends the explanation of Regulation as applied to Glacier movement. Glaciers are vast fields of ice produced by the partial melting & freezing of snow. Snow is congealed vapor, each flake being composed of numbers of lovely crystals grouped together; the variety of forms is very considerable as many as 96 having been counted. Sleet consists of small icy needles due to the freezing of cloud drops in an agitated atmosphere. Hail is a variety of snow & sleet which has suffered many congelations from passing through various temperatures. Its formation is supposed to be dependent upon electrical influences as it invariably proceeds a thunder-storm.
An interesting discussion followed after which a vote of thanks to Mr. Walker was proposed by Dr. Wilson & seconded by Mr. F. Rainton.
The Rev. W. Smith, having resigned his connection with the Society, with which he had been associated from its foundation, was elected an honorary member on the motion of Dr. Mitchell Wilson, seconded by Mr. Selby.
Conversational Meeting Jan 25 1882 (held in the Guildhall).
Five members present.
A various selection of objects (opaque and transparent) was exhibited by Mr. Stiles.
Committee Meeting Feb 6 1882
Present – Rev. Canon Brock, Rev. W.R. Weston, Rev. G. Smith, Dr. J.M. Wilson, Messrs J.W. Smith, Kirk, Winter & Stiles.
Mr. B.S. Brundell was elected a member of the Committee in place of the Rev. W. Smith (who resigned in consequence of leaving the town).
The Rev. G. Smith having kindly offered the society the use of the Grammar School, it was resolved that the meetings in future be held there.
A letter having been received from Dr. W.B. Carpenter respecting the Lectures provided by the Gilchrist Trust, it was resolved that it was desirable to secure the course of Lectures provided by the Gilchrist Educational Trust & that the Hon. Secretary write to Dr. Carpenter for further particulars.
Ordinary Meeting Feb 8 1882 (held in the Grammar School)
The Rev. W.R. Weston (Vice President) in the chair.
About 80 members & friends were present.
Mr. G. Smith, Miss Lane & Major Shorrock were nominated for membership.
The Rev. Canon Brock (President) then read a long & exhaustive paper on “God and Science” or modern science in its relationship to religion”
In the course of his remarks the author said it was useless to ignore the advancement of modern science in its bearing upon religious belief & useless to endeavors to maintain that science & religion might & ought to be kept entirely apart for it was impossible that scripture, which was a revelation from God, could , when rightly interpreted, be at variance with the works of the divine hand. The antag0nism between science and religion was purely imaginary.
The author the touched upon the modern theory of forces & evolution in their relation to a personal God. Two principal forces were referred to- the correlation & conservation of force. He then pointed out the distinction between matter & mind, between force & life, We must “regard life, as transcending mere matter & its forces, and as a distinct gift of an all-wise omnipotence.
Passing on to the modern theory of evolution he said it had been thus defined; “By evolution we mean the theory according to which all life on our globe is derived in a continuous and unbroken series by natural generation from original organisms”. This theory left them & the whole universe to the sport of chance & was fatal to any real belief in a personal & ever present God. But there was a theory of evolution which they might hold & still retain a living faith in a personal God.
Many leading men of science believed that evolution was the method which the Almighty had chosen to act upon in bringing on the scene the successive organisms of nature. Revealed religion had everything to gain from the advances of science. A real talisman against skepticism was to be found in a stronger personal faith in our divine god.
No discussion followed.
A vote of thanks to the Rev. G. Smith for his kindness in allowing the use of the Grammar School was proposed by Canon Brock & seconded by Dr. J.M. Wilson.
Conversational Meeting Feb 22 1882
Twelve members present.
Mr. Geo Smith, Miss Lane & Major Shorrock who had been duly proposed & seconded at the previous meeting were elected members of the society.
Ordinary Meeting March 8 1882
Dr. J. Mitchell Wilson (Vice President) in the chair.
Twenty nine members present.
A paper on Diatoms was read by Mr. J.M. Kirk.
Diatoms have long been considered to be the remains of animalcules and most of the older microscopists treated them as such. Although the question is far from being settled, they are now generally considered as belonging to the vegetable kingdom. Diatoms, like Desmids, are simple cells having a firm outer coating within which is enclosed an endochrome. The diatomacia are divided into two chief groups – those which are single frustules and those which colure in masses.
The name seems to have been given to them from the readiness with which the latter may be cut or broken through, hence they are some times called “brittle worts”. During the healthy life of a Diatom the process of self-division is continually being repeated and a very rapid multiplication of frustules then takes place, all of which are repetitions of the same individual form. These original forms are of great variety.
A large part of the infusorial earths deposited at the bottom of lakes is composed of diatoms, one such remarkable deposit being the tripoi or rottenstone used for polishing metals. The well known “Turkey Stone”, and the material called “Silicon” now sold for cleaning jewelry, are similarly composed. Such is the abundance of Diatoms in some rivers and estuaraies that their rapid increase is affirmed by Chrenberg to have exercised an important influence in blocking up harbors and diminishing the depth of channels.
It is affirmed by Hookes that the universal presence of this invisible vegetation throughout the South Polar Ocean is a most important feature since there is a marked deficiency in this region of higher forms of plants, and were it not for them, there would be neither food for aquatic animals, nor (if it were possible for these to maintain themselves by preying on one another) could the ocean waters be purified of the Carbonic Acid which animal respiration would be continually imparting to them. A diatomacious deposit is met within Norway & Sweden under the name of Bergmeld or mountain flour, and in times of scarcity the inhabitants mix this with their dough in making bread.
Mr. Kirk explained the method for collecting, preserving & mounting the various diatoms, and illustrated his paper by a large number of beautifully executed drawings of typical forms, among the more elaborate of which may be mentioned the representations of Arachnoidiscus, Heliopelta, and Isthmia.
A discussion followed, after which a vote of thanks was proposed by Mr. Selby & seconded by the Rev. Geo. Smith. The meeting then resolved itself into a Conversazione, many microscopes being exhibited showing specimens of Diatoms.
Conversational Meeting March 22 1882
Two persons only being present (the secretary & Mr. H. Somerset).
The meeting was brought to an end at 9.15.
Ordinary Meeting April 4 1882
Twelve members present.
The Rev. Geo. Smith (Vice President) in the chair.
An extremely valuable & interesting paper on Cell-life was read by Mr. J. W. Smith, L.R.C.P.
Mr. Smith first defined what it meant by a cell & incidentally referred to the Genisis of cells. Taking the Amoeba at the most convenient and typical representative of the cell, its actions were described – (1) It exhibits movement (2) it receives & digests food, (3) is sensitive & volitional & (4) is reproductive. These qualities are the common endourments of all cells wherever found, & may be taken as representing all the ordinary manifestations of vitality as seen in the higher animals.
In single celled organisms there is no advance in function, this only occurring when by mutual association a division of labour is brought about. Sponges & Foraminifera present all associations containing units banded together for obtaining food chiefly. A great advance is seen in the higher animals which may be regarded as cell communities in which certain cells are set apart to perform certain functions.
Mr. Smith traced the ever-increasing purpose which seems to run from the lowest to the highest member of the animal kingdom & remarked that in the Infusoria we see the greatest perfection attainable by the simple cell as an isolated individual. The common Hydra was given as presenting one of the most rudimentary instances of purposive cell federation; following the scale upwards carious examples were noted & described. In conclusion, Mr Smith said that the same principles held good in respect to the vegetable kingdom.
The meeting terminated with a good discussion & the usual vote of thanks.
Conversational Meeting April 19 1882
Two members only were present.
The meeting was therefore closed at 9.0 o’clock.
Ordinary Meeting May 3 1882
The rev. Canon Brock (President) in the chair
21 members present.
Mr. Stiles read a paper on “The application of Photography to the Microscope”.
After a few introductory remarks, Mr. Stiles drew attention to the great convenience afforded by the use of Gelatine dry Plates which during the last few years had been so extensively adopted for studio & outdoor work. He recommended these as being more suitable & easier of manipulation than wet plates with the additional advantage of much increased rapidity. As a source of light the ordinary Paraffin lamp used by the Microscopist was found to answer well all requirements for low & moderate powers. The manner of arranging the lamp, instrument & camera was shown & a photograph taken before the assembled members as a practical illustration of the process.
The methods of developing fixing & intensifying the negative were described as was also the process for obtaining prints from the latter. A number of prints from various negatives taken by the author were exhibited. My Stiles also described an easy and convenient process for obtaining transparent picturtes on glass for exhibiting with the magic lantern and through the kindness of Mr. Cowley who not only lent his lime light apparatus, but personally superintended it, a selection of transparencies from photographs of microscopic objects was shown upon the screen.
The meeting terminated with a vote of thanks to Mr. Stiles & to Mr. Cowley.
Balance Sheet Oct 1 1882
Balance Sheet
| Balance Sheet | ||
|---|---|---|
| Receipts | ||
| 59 members subscriptions | 14. 15. 0 | |
| 1 members subscription for 1881 | 5. o | |
| Interest from bank | 3. 8 | |
| Cash in hand | 4. 16. 3 | |
| Total | 19. 19. 11 | |
| Payments | ||
| Correspondence, stamps etc. | 1. 3. 10 | |
| Printing | 3. 3. o | |
| Books & periodicals | 3. 5. 9 | |
| Hire of Room (Guildhall) | 2. 6 | |
| Lighting & attendance at the Grammar School | 11. 8 | |
| Yorkshire Naturalists Union (2 years) | 8. 10 | |
| Mr. H. Crouch’s Expenses | 1. 1. 2 1/2 | |
| Lamps, Candles Etc. | 19. 0 | |
| Cash in hand Oct 1, 1882 | 5 1/2 | |
| Cash in bank (less 50/- due to treasurer | 9. 3. 8 | |
| total | 19. 19. 11 |
Session 1882 – 83
Committee Meeting Sep 18 1882
Present Revs. Canon Brock & G. Smith, Messrs. J.M. Wilson, M. H Stiles.
The arrangements for the Gilchrist Lectures was discussed & the four gentlemen named above were constituted a sub-committee to carry them out.
Resolved that a Conservatzione be held if possible on Oct 18th
Committee Meeting Oct 2 1882
Present:- Revs. Canon Brock & G. Smith, Dr. J.M. Wilson, Messrs. Kirk, J.W. Smith, & M.H. Stiles.
The Programme for the Gilchrist Course was laid on the table.
500 tickets for the same were ordered to be printed & to be offered for sale at once.
The draft report & Balance Sheet were presented by the Hon. Secretary & approved.
The proposed alterations in the Rules were discussed & agreed upon. *
Resolved that a meeting of the committee be held every month throughout the year on the first Wednesday in each.
Resolved that the Conversazione be held in the Corn Exchange as the Guildhall is not available on Oct 18th & that Dr. Wilson with Messrs Kirk, & Stiles for a sub-committee to carry out the arrangements.
* Addition to Rule 2. That the Committee have powers to fill the place of any of their number who may retire during the session. (This was allowed at the Annual Meeting).
Rule 1 – omit “at 13 High Street” & substitute “or at such other times as may be appointed by the committee” for ” each alternate” to the end.
Report
In presenting the third annual report of the Doncaster Microscopical & General Scientific Society your committee is pleased to be able to record a continued increase in the strength of the society & a considerable improvement in its finances and general condition.
In the year just ended 23 new members have been elected as compared with 9 in the previous one. The total number of members during the past session was 59 being an increase of 16 on the former one.
The secretary has now a balance in hand of £9. 4. 1 1/2 compared with £4. 16. 3 at this time last year.
An important feature in connection with the society has been the extension of its scope by the introduction of General Scientific subjects into its programme. That this has been of some service is evidenced by the increased numbers of members & by the much improved attendance; the average at the Essay Meeting having risen from 11 in 1881 to 26 in 1882.
The Programme of Papers has been an attractive & varied one and, as a rule, the subjects have been thoughtfully treated, giving rise to interesting & instructive discussions.
Although the Essay Meetings have been generally successful this has not been the case with the Conversational ones; the attendance at these having dwindled down to almost nothing and their original object having been fulfilled in a very partial manner only. It is proposed that in the coming session these be discontinued and Essay or Lectures be given in their place.
In speaking of the future, your committee is pleased to be in a position to announce that they have arranged with the managers of the Gilchrist Educational Trust for a course of Scientific Lectures to be delivered in Doncaster in connection with this society in the early part of the new year.
The lectures will be by some of the best men of the day & will be fully illustrated by experiments, by diagrams & by the oxy-hydrogen lantern. The lectures are more especially intended to diffuse a taste for science among the working classes& with this view the admission to each lecture is fixed at the nominal price of one penny.
The delivery of this course will necessarily interfere with our own programme. It is therefore proposed to arrange a short series of papers to the end of the year & so let the Gilchrist lectures take the place of that portion of the course which is usually given after Xmas.
Your committee much regrets that during the past session, it has lost in the Rev. W. Smith a much esteemed colleague & the society one of its oldest & most valued members. The society recorded its sense of his service by electing him an Honorary Member. The vacancy this made in the committee was filled by Mr. B.S. Brundell.
Signed H. J. Brock, President.
Third Annual Meeting Oct 4 1882
The Rev. Canon Brock (President) in the chair.
The Rev. A.H. Fabes was nominated by the Rev. G. Smith & seconded by Dr. J.M. Wilson.
Seventeen members were present.
The report of the committee was read and adopted.
It was proposed & resolved that a Conversazione be held in the Corn Exchange on Oct 25.
The following alterations to the rules were proposed & after considerable discussion as to minor points, carried.
Rule 1. Omit the words “at 13 High Street”: & for the words “each alternate meeting” to the end of the rule, substitute “or at such other times as may be appointed by the committee”.
Rule 2. For the words “a general meeting” at the end of the rule, substitute “the annual meeting” and add “or at a special meeting called for the purpose”.
The meeting then re-elected the following members as officers for the ensuing year.
President – The Rev. Canon Brock
Vice Presidents – The rev. W.R. Weston, Dr. J. Mitchell Wilson & the Rev. Geo. Smith
Committee – Messrs. J, Cowley, B.S. Brundell, J.M. Kirk, J.W. Smith, G. Tindall, W. Walker, Geo. Winter, & M.H. Stiles (Hon. Sec.).
A vote of thanks to Mr. Stiles for his services during the past year was proposed by Dr. J.M. Wilson, seconded by Rev. Canon Brock & carried unanimously.
Tuesday Oct 17 1882
A Special General Meeting was summoned for the purpose of nominating & electing members & for considering the arrangements of the proposed Conversazione.
The Rev. Canon Brock (President) occupied the chair.
Fourteen members were [present.
The Rev. A.H. Fabes who had been proposed at the previous meeting was unanimously elected a member & afterwards, on the motion of the Rev. Canon Brock, seconded by the Rev. G. Smith, was elected as a Vice President of the society.
Mr. H. Cockill & Mr. Simmonds were nominated by Mr. H.A. Brundell & seconded by Mr. Scudmore.
Mr. Kirk then gave an account of the arrangements made in connection with the Conversazione. After discussing these, it was decided to partition off a portion of the Corn Exchange for a Lantern Exhibition. Mr. Cowley having promised to conduct this part of the entertainment.
It was also resolved to solicit the aid of the Yorkshire Brush Electric Lighting Company with the view of illuminating the Corn Exchange by the Electric Light.
Signed A.H. Kirk, Chairman
Oct 25 1882
A Conversazione, unanimously and fashionably attended, was held at the Corn Exchange on this day.
It was considered by all to be a great success.
Messrs. Kirk, Wilson & Stiles were the sub-committee entrusted with the general arrangements. Mr. Kirk acting as special secretary.
Ordinary Meeting Nov 1, 1882
The Rev. Canon Brock (President) in the chair.
Twenty four members & friends were present.
A vote of thanks to those gentlemen who had given their help in connection with the recent Conversazione was proposed by the Rev, Geo. Smith & seconded by Mr. Selby. Special mention being made of Mr. A H Allen of Sheffield (who had gratuitously given a most interesting lecture on Singing Flames) & of the sub-committee Messrs. Kirk, Mitchell Wilson & Stiles. The Secretary reported that the thanks of the committee had been conveyed by letter to those helpers not connected with the society.
Mr. H, Cockill & Mr. Simmonds who had been duly proposed & seconded at the previous meeting were elected members of the society.
The following Ladies & gentlemen were nominated
Mr. T. Turner
Mr. M. Stirling
Mr. R. Morris
Mr. Gent
Mr. Cockill
Proposed by Rev. Canon Brock
Seconded by Rev. G. Smith
Mr. R. Stockill
Mrs. Livesey
Proposed by Rev. G. Smith
Seconded by Mr. Selby
Mr. J.W. Loxley
Mr. W. Huntriss
Mr. A.M. Smith
Mr. W. Clark
Mr. S. Meacock
Mr. T Yates
Mr. John Bull
Proposed by Mr. J.M. Kirk
Seconded by Mr. Railton
Mr. R. Storrs
Mrs. J.M. Wilson
Mr. G. Liddle
Miss. Liddle
Mr. T. Anslay
Proposed by Dr. J.M. Wilson
Seconded by Rev. Canon Brock
Mr. Delany
Proposed by Mr. Stiles
Seconded by Rev. W.R. Weston
The Rev Geo. Smith then read a paper on “Science in its relation to Education”
Mr. Smith remarked that the title of his paper was somewhat vague due to the impossibility of describing in a few words the aim of his remarks. The term Science denoted all knowledge, but although it had this general interpretation it gradually became limited in its application. After describing what education was he remarked that science could not supply the complete groundwork, nor could it give the highest training, but yet all education without science must be depictive. Science had a province of its own, the province of induction, and in that connection it was supreme among the subjects useful for mind-training.
Science as applied to the laws of nature was most important & one of the great advantages of its study would be that the conditions of health would be better understood. Mining operations, Manufactures, agriculture, commerce and industry in general were all aided by science – a sufficient reason that scientific training was necessary.
Complaint had been made that boys left school without being equipped for future life. This was an error. In early years there must be education proper. Then instruction for the trained mind could assimilate information at a greater rate than the mind untrained. The study of Science could form but a small part of education & that not the highest part and yet it was a necessary part and in its relation to practical life a most important part. The need of a distinctive scientific training was felt & was being generally met.
An interesting & Instructive discussion followed in which the chairman, The Rev. Geo Smith, the Rev. W.R. Weston, the Rev. A.H. Fabes & Dr. Mitchell Wilson took part after which a vote of thanks to Mr. Smith was proposed by the Rev. Canon Brock & seconded by the Rev. W.R. Weston.
Committee Meeting Nov 6, 1882
Present – Rev. Canon Brock, Rev. G. Smith. Dr. Mitchell Wilson, Messrs. J.W. Smith, J.M. Kirk.
Resolved – That in accordence with Rule 1 the meeting of the Society take place at 8 o’clock & that the secretary be good enough to direct special attention in circulars calling the meetings to the change of the time.
Resolved – That a programme of the Society be now sent to every member.
Resolved – That Bills to the amount of £15. 7. 4. incurred in connection with the Conversazione be paid.
It was the opinion of the meeting that sufficient publicity had not yet been given to the announcement of the Gilchrist Lectures & that 100 large posters should be circulated.
The President was requested to consult the Mayor as to whether some improvement could be made in the acoustic properties of the Corn Exchange & to report to the next Committee Meeting.
Mr. J.M. Kirk was requested to act as assistant secretary when Mr. Stiles was unable to be present at the opening of the ordinary meetings.
Ordinary Meeting Nov 15, 1882
The Rev. Canon Brock (President) in the chair.
Thirty five members & friends were present.
The minutes of the previous meeting having been read, the following 20 Ladies & Gentlemen who had been duly nominated in accordance with Rule (blank) were elected members of the society.
Mrs. Livesey, Mrs J. Mitchell Wilson, Miss Liddle & Messrs. T. Turner, M. Stirling, R. Morris, Gent, W. Cockill, R. Stockill, J.W. Loxley, W.G. Huntriss, A.M. Smith, W. Clark, T Yates, S. Meacock, J. Bull, R. Storrs, G. Liddle, T. Ansley & W. Delamoy.
Five Ladies & Gentlemen were nominated
The Rev. G. Jennings – Prop. Rev. W.R. Weston, Sec. Rev. Canon Brock.
Mr. W. E. Shirley – Prop. Canon Brock, Sec. Mr. S.S. Blackburn.
Mr. Tretheway – Prop. Mr. J. M. Kirk, Sec. Mr. W. Roberts.
Miss. C. Liddle – Prop. Mr. Stiles, Sec. Dr. J.M. Wilson.
Mrs. T. Turner – Pro. Rev. Canon Brock, Sec. Mr. Stiles.
Mr. Ballinger read an able & instructive paper on the Geological History of Coal.
Coal was the result of a large deposition of vegetable matter occurring immediately above the well known formation termed the Millstone Grit. The latter was essentially a marine formation & had been formed in a shallow sea near to land. As this became gradually upheaved it assumed a marshy condition & on this marshy bed grew the various forms of the plant life whose decayed remains ultimately became coal. The Flora of the Coal Period comprised chiefly Conifers, Ferns, Club-mosses & Horse-tails. The Fossil remains of these were found preserved in a more or less perfect manner in the coal measures & their careful examination threw much light upon the origin of this valuable product. The variety chiefly found in Yorkshire, Bituminous Coal, consists in a great degree of the Spores & Spore cases of a giant club-moss (Lepidodendron). Anthracite Coal, found in S. Wales & the West of England, is a variety which has undergone a change through igneous agency.
Mr. Ballinger then described some of the more important Fossils, illustrating his paper by means of the oxy-hydrogen Lantern, throwing upon the screen images of the chief varieties enumerated by him. Slides of Coal preparations were also shown under the Microscopes of some of the members & a collection of coal kindly lent by Mr. Bridge was also exhibited.
The lantern arrangements were under the efficient superintendence of Mr. Cowley who had placed his apparatus at the lecturers disposal.
A discussion followed after which a vote of thanks to Mr. Ballinger & Mr. Cowley conjointly was proposed by the chairman & carried unanimously.
Signed – W.R. Weston, chairman.
Ordinary Meeting Nov 29, 1882
The Rev. W.R. Weston (Vice President) in the chair.
48 members & friends were present.
Mrs. Thos. Turner, Miss C. Liddle, The Rev. G. Jennings, Mr. W.E. Shirley & Mr. Tretheway were elected members of the society.
Mr. Killam B.A., & Mr. J. Matthews were nominated by Dr. Mitchell Wilson & seconded by Mr. Stiles.
Mr. Cuttriss the gave a lecture on the Electric Light – What it is, How it is produced
Mr. Cuttriss first enumerated the various sources of Electricity & then gave a general description of the better known arc & incandescent system of illumination, including among the former the Jablochkoff & Brush Lights, and among the latter Edison & Swan’s. The Arc System is more especially applicable to large buildings & open spaces; the incandescent lamp being adapted for smaller rooms, such as would be met with in private houses.
The lecturer then exhibited and described a Dynamo machine, now such an important factor in connection with Electric Lighting for, though galvanic batteries will answer on a small scale it is to that machine that we must look for the future development of this new light. The Dynamo machine is essentially an apparatus for the conversion of mechanical force into Electric Force. It is an instrument in which an armature is caused to rotate very rapidly between the poles of one or more electro-magnets , termed field magnets.
Starting with the residual magnetism of the Field Magnet the at first feeble current produced in the armature wires by the rapid cutting of the magnetic lines of force during rotation is gradually intensified by the increasing magnetism generated in the field magnets through the circulation of the current round them. This accumulation goes on until the magnets are sufficiently charged, if the speed of the machine be then maintained at a regular rate, a uniform current insuring a steady light results.
The intensity of the light within certain limits being proportional to the speed of the machine. By means of a hand Dynamo machine Swan Lamps of 5 – 10 & 20 candle power were exhibited in operation; their mode of construction was also explained. The Swan Lamp consists of a glass globe of one and a half to two inches in diameter, exhausted of air in the most perfect manner known & hermetically sealed. Enclosed is a loop of carbon, formed by carbonising a piece of cotton thread by a special process; this loop is attached to two platinum wires passing through the lower part of the globe & forming a connection with the machine. When a current is passed through the wires, the resistance offered by the carbon thread (carbon being a bad conductor of electricity) causes it to become so intensely heated so to evolve a very brilliant light & as the globe is free from air, the carbon does not burn away as it would under ordinary conditions.
A good discussion followed during which a number of questions were put to & answered by the lecturer. A vote of thanks to Mr. Cuttriss was then proposed by the chairman & carried unanimously.
Committee Meeting Dec 4, 1882
Present – Rev. Canon Brock, Rev. Geo. Smith, Dr. J.M. Wilson, Messrs. J.W. Smith, Geo. Tindall, & M.H. stiles.
After discussing a question brought forward from the last meeting, it was proposed by the Rev. G. Smith, seconded by Dr. Wilson & carried – that subject to the conditions, that (1) the acoustic properties of the Corn Exchange can be improved satisfactorily, (2) the charge for the Corn Exchange be not greater than that which the Society would have now to pay for the Guildhall, viz – £1. 11. 6.for each lecture – the Gilchrist Lectures be delivered at the Corn Exchange. The secretary was requested to ascertain at what time the Corn Exchange would be disengaged on Saturday for the purpose of testing the acoustic properties & so inform the members of the committee.
It was suggested to meet at the Corn Exchange at 3,30 & to adjorn to Mr. Kirk’s house if possible.
Committee Meeting Dec 9, 1882
At Mr. Kirk’s House adjourned from the Corn Exchange:
Present – Rev. Canon Brock, Rev. W.R. Weston, Dr. J.M. Wilson, Rev. Geo. Smith, Messrs. B.S. Brundell, Kirk, Tindall, & Stiles
After discussing the question brought forward from the last meting as to the suitability of the Corn Exchange for the delivery of the Gilchrist Lectures, it was resolved on the motion of the Rev. G. Smith, seconded by Mr. Brundell – that the first Gilchrist Lecture be delivered at the Corn Exchange on the best terms that can be arranged & that 300 seats be reserved at 6 each.
The committee decided to further discuss the question at a meeting to be held at the close of the ordinary meeting on Dec 13th.
Signed : H.M. Kirk, Chairman
Balance Sheet Oct 1 1883
| Balance Sheet | ||
|---|---|---|
| Receipts | ||
| Cash in hand | 9. 4. 1 1/2 | |
| 80 members subscriptions | 20. o. o | |
| 2 members arrears | 10. 0 | |
| Interest from bank | 5. 1 | |
| Total | 29. 19. 2 1/2 | |
| Payments | ||
| Conversazione | 15. 14. 1 | |
| Gilchrist Lectures (deficiency) | 3. 14. 2 | |
| Advertising & do | 18. 6 | |
| Correspondence | 1. 0. 11 | |
| Books & Periodicals | 2. 1. 9 | |
| Printing | 2. 18. 0 | |
| Yorkshire Naturalists Union Levy | 7. 6 | |
| Grammar School Lighting | 5. 0 | |
| Sundries | 10. 10 | |
| Cash in hand | 9. 8 1/2 | |
| Cash in bank | 1. 18. 9 | |
| Total | 29. 19. 2 1/2 |
1883
Committee Meeting Sept 17 1883
Present – Rev. Canon Brock, Dr. J.M. Wilson, Messrs. J.M. Kirk, G. Winter, & M. H. Stiles.
Proposed by Dr. J.M. Wilson & Sec. by Mr. Kirk that Messrs. Allen, Proctor, Thorpe, Wiliamson, Dallinger, J.E. Taylor & others be applied to for forms & subjects of Lectures.
The General Meeting to take place on Oct 3 in the Grammar School at 9.0 pm.
The committee suggests that young persons underb16 be admitted to the Society as associates paying a subscription of 2-/6. annually.
Committee Meeting Sep 21 1883
Present – Revs. Canon Brock & Geo. Smith, Dr, Wilson, Mr. Tindall & Mr. Stiles.
The accounts were presented by the Secretary & on the motion of Rev. G. Smith, Sec. by Rev. Canon Brock were passed.
Proposed by Rev. G. Smith & sec. by Dr. Wilson that it is desirable that, if practicable, two public Lectures should be given during the session & that this meeting be adjourned to Monday Oct 1 in order that the secretary may receive replies to communications he gah already made with various gentlemen.
Committee Meeting Oct 1 1883
Present – Rev. Canin Brock, Dr. Wilson, Messrs. J.W. Smith, & M.H. Stiles
On the motion of Mr. J.W. Smith, sec. by Rev. Canon Brock it was resolved that Professor Ball be engaged to Lecture on Wednesday Nov 7, subject (blank)
Proposed by Dr. Wilson, sec. by Mr. Stiles & carried that Mr. A.H. Allen of Sheffield be engaged to Lecture in January 1884 subject left open.
The following gentlemen we appointed a sub-committee in connection with the Lectures.
Rev. Canon Brock, Dr. Wilson, Rev. G. Smith, Messrs. Cowley, Kirk, & Stiles.
Report
At the close of the Fourth Session of the Doncaster Microscopical and General Scientific Society, it is a matter of much satisfaction to your committee to be able to refer again to its increasing strength and usefulness.
The past Session has been in many respects the most important one the society has yet passed through. It began with a very successful Conversazione largely attended by an appreciative audience, and, to judge from the deep interest which appeared to be taken in the Exhibits & in the lectures most kindly given by the Borough Analyst (Mr. Allen of Sheffield), was thoroughly enjoyed by those present.
The Conversazione was followed by a short course of four lectures given by members of the society. The average attendance at these was 34, the highest yet reached in any session since the society was founded.
Our own course of Lectures was necessarily shortened in order to make way for the series of six given in connection with the Gilchrist Educational Trust. The success of the majority of the latter is well known, the average number attending the first four of the course exceeded 1200. The filth & sixth lectures lacked the attractions of the earlier ones & were not so successful resulting in a loss to the society of between four & five pounds (£4. 12. 8.)
Another new & pleasing feature which later on in the session was the visit of the Yorkshire Naturalists’ Union (to which our society is affiliated) on Whit Monday. The meeting which had for its object the investigation of the Natural History of Sandall Beat, the Green Farm Wood & Potteric Carr together with Balby & Conisboro’ was rather too early in the season to allow of much work being done.
A small geological party, however, met with a greater share of success; a deposit of Boulder Clay at Balby, newly discovered by one of our members, Mr. T.H. Easterfield, fully rewarded those members who visited it.
As a necessary result of the work done by the society, notably the Conversazione & the Gilchrist Lectures, its financial position is not so good as it was at the beginning of the session; the balance in hand being £2. 8. 5 1/2. compared with £9. 4. 1 1/2. On the other hand the increase of members is highly satisfactory, the number during the past session having reached 80, an addition to the previous years of 21.
To turn to the future your committee propose to continue the Public Education Work so will inaugurate by the Gilchrist Lectures. They have therefore arranged for the delivery, during the coming session of two Scientific Lectures – one in November by Prof. Ball the Astronomer Royal for Ireland & the other in January by Mr. Allen of Sheffield the Borough Analyst. Theses will be given to the general public at a moderate charge.
Another new feature will be the partial revival of our old Conversational Meetings in the form of a small Conversazione or Exhibition Meeting open to the members & any friends they may choose to bring. It is hoped that these may prove a source not only of amusement but instruction & serve as an additional attraction during the Winter Months.
In concluding their report the committee wish to record their deep sense of the kindness of the headmaster in again allowing their the use of the Grammar School for their meetings.
General Meeting Oct 3 1883
The Rev. Canon Brock (President) in the chair.
The Report as read was adopted unanimously.
The wording of Rule 2 was thus altered & now reads –
“2. A committee consisting of the President, Vice Presidents, an Honorary Sec. (who shall act as Treasurer) and other members shall be elected at the Annual Meeting. The committee shall have powers to fill up occasional vacancies. Additional members of the committee may be elected at a Special Meeting called for the purpose.”
The wording of Rule 3 was altered from “the first Wednesday” to “early” in October.
It was also recorded that youths under 16 be admitted as associates at a yearly subscription of 2/-6. to have all the privileges on members except the power of voting.
Rule 4 was altered in accordance with this resolution.
Mr. Winter Cockill & Mr. T.H. Easterfield were elected members of the committee in place of Mr. Cowley & Mr. W. Walker, both having resigned on account of leaving the Town.
The remaining members of the committee were re-elected, this body being thus constituted.
President – Rev. Canon Brock
Vice Presidents – Rev. W.R. Weston, Dr, J.M. Wilson, Rev. G. Smith, Rev, A.H. Fabes
Committee – Mr., B.S. Brundell, Mr. W. Cockill, Mr. T.H. Easterfield, Mr. J.M. Kirk, Mr. J.W. Smith L.R.C.P., Mr. G. Tindall, Mr. G. Winter,
Hon. Sec. – Mr. M.H. Stiles
The following gentlemen were then propose for membership.
Mr. Hy. Percy, Thos. Athron, Mr. J.G. Walker, Mr. Furniwall. Mr. W.H. Stoll.
A vote of thanks to the chairman terminated the proceedings.
1883 Nov 7
An interesting & instructive Public Lecture on Astronomy entitles “The Telescope & its Revelations” was given in connection with the society at the Guildhall. It is a source of much regret that the attendance was not large enough to make the lecture a financial success.
Exhibition Meeting Nov 28 1883
This the first meeting of the kind, although a thoroughly successful & enjoyable one was not so largely attended as the committee could have wished especially when the pains & trouble taken by the chief workers are considered.
Among the objects & instruments exhibited were Microscopes by The Rev. Canon Brock, Messrs. B.S. Brundell, Cockill, Cower Jackson, Matthewman, Milner, Roberts, Stoll, Stiles, Tindall, White & Winter.
Mr. W.H. Stoll exhibited a number of specimens illustrating the cellular development of Plants.
Mr. Stiles exhibited the Harmonograph, an instrument for ruling Harmonic Curves.
Mr. Ballinger sent for inspection a number of beautifully illustrated works relating to Art & Science.
Botany was represented by Mr. Stotts collation of dried plants & Materia Medica.
Geology by Mr. Easterfield’s collection of fossils, minerals etc.
Microscopy by Mr. Kirk’s drawings of the lower forms of animal & vegetable life.
At the close of the meeting the gentlemen who were proposed on Oct 3 were unanimously elected.
Master Leonard Wright was nominated as an associate, but afterwards withdrew.
Ordinary Meeting Dec 19, 1883
Mr. J.M. Kirk (in the absence of the Rev. Canon Brock) in the chair.
Twelve members were present.
Master Leonard Wright was elected an associate of the society.
A paper on “Flowers & Insects” was read by Mr. W.H. Stott.
In giving the subject, Mr. Stott alluded to the delightful association connected with the study of Botany, the beauty & variety of the forms of plants & flowers and their economic & medicinal uses. The various organs of the flowers & their functions were fully described with especial reference to the chief modes of fertilisation. The important part played by insects in the latter process was dwelt upon at some length & it was shown how necessary the visits of insects to flowers are as regards the continuance of the existence of many plants.
The manner in which insects perform this important mission and the wonderful adaptability of their organs to this purpose were referred to at some length several Illustrations being given. Mr. Stott concluded a most interesting paper by pointing out the great value of the study of botany to those discussions of cultivating an acquaintance with natural works in their most beautiful form.
A good discussion followed after which a hearty vote of thanks was proposed to Mr. Stott for his able & instructive essay.
Jan 16 1884
A Public Lecture by A.W. Allen Esq. F.C.S. F.I.C. on “Optical Illusions” was delivered at the Guildhall. The attendance was very small & entailed a financial loss to the society.
Feb 6 1884
Ordinary Meeting.
The Re, Canon Brock (President) in the chair.
Thirty seven members & friends were present.
A paper on “Glacial Action & its Connection with the Geology of the Neighborhood” was read by Mr. T.H. Easterfield.
The subject was divided into four parts:- The first part was devoted to a description of the formation of Glaciers & Ice-sheets; the chief conditions necessary to their formation being a high plateau above the line of perpetual snow & plenty of moisture to furnish a continual supply of snow.
In the second part Mr. Easterfield pointed out the effect of an Ice-sheet or a Glacier upon the Physiography & Geology of any Country in which they occurred; showing how they smoothed down irregularities in their path; how they scratched the stones over which they passed or which were frozen into their lower surfaces; how they formed Roche-moutonnée & also probably gave rise to lakes.
He described the deposits which are invariably formed under large ice-sheets & showed by what characters they could be easily recognised. He then drew attention to what would happen when an ice-sheet melted & exhibited a large diagram representing a block of enormous size which has been deposited in its present high position by the action of Ice.
In the third part of the lecture the probable causes of the changes of climate, whereby countries which formerly suffered Glacial conditions are now enjoying temperate climates were discussed. The two most popular theories, those of Sir Charles Lyell & of Herschell & Croll were briefly stated. Lyell’s hypothesis would explain all former glacial conditions by difference in the Geographical distribution of land & sea, whereas Herschell & Croll maintain that they are due to alterations in the earths path round the sun together with other astronomical phenomena.
In the last part of the lecture Mr. Easterfield mentioned the traces of former glacial action that were to be found in the neighbourhood of Doncaster: he showed conclusively that the clay which is worked at Balby & used in the manufacture of Bricks is of glacial pointing out the extent & boundaries of this clay far as they have at present been determined & concluded by exhibiting to the audience a selection of the stones from the Balby Clay most of which were ice-scratched.
The lecture which was listened to with much interest & attention was illustrated by a number of large diagrams kindly lent for the purpose by Prof. Green of Leeds.
A well-maintained discussion followed at the close of which a hearty vote of thanks to the lecturer was proposed by Dr. Mitchell Wilson & seconded by Mr. Cockill.
Ordinary Meeting Feb 27 1884
The Rev. Canon Brock (President) in the chair.
Sixty five members & friends were present
A paper on “Corals & Coral Islands” being the third of the series on the “Lower Forms of Animal Life” was read by Mr. J.M. Kirk.
In the course of his paper, Mr. Kirk said that from remote times efforts were made to ascertain the true nature of Coral. The older naturalists considered it a Plant but the true animal nature of coral cannot now be doubted. It is not more difficult to understand that a Polyp should form structures of stone (Carbonate of Lime) than that the quadruped should form its bones or the mollusk its shell. The processes & the result are similar.
The Polyp may be conveniently compared with the Garden Aster, the expanding florets of the latter representing the tentacles. The coral making Polyps have most of the characteristics of the sea-anemone, their chief striking peculiarities depending upon the sucktion of coral, making them fixed species & also on the extent to which the multiply by lends in imitation of plants.
Specimens & drawings of a large number of varieties were here shown & described including examples of mushroom corals which are so often thought to be petrified Fungi. The red coral of commerce is found in the Mediterranean & the Red Sea usually at depths varying from 6 or 7 to 60 or even 100 fathoms, seldom much deeper. The most beautiful is that found in shallow water. The coral fishing grounds are dragged only once in about 10 years so as to allow of the growth of a fresh crop. Pale Coral is the most highly prized being worth from “80 to £200 per ounce. Chemically coral consists almost entirely of Carbonate of lime.
Coral Reefs & Coral Islands are structured of the same kind under somewhat different conditions, in fact a Coral Island has been a Coral Reef through a large part of its history & is still so so over much of its area. Coral Islands are isolated Reefs whilst Coral Reefs are borders or fringes stretching along the edges of Islands & continents. In the still waters between the islands & the reef are found the corals in their greatest perfection. It is supposed by modern writers that Coral Islands have originated from reefs which encircled ordinary islands the chain of surrounding coral having been built upwards as the land in the centre subsided.
An interesting & well sustained discussion followed the reading of the paper, after which a vote of thanks to Mr. Kirk was proposed by the chairman & seconded by Mr. Stiles.
The very beautiful drawings executed by Mr. Kirk in illustration of his paper were much admired.
Mar 4 1884
Messrs., Kirk & Stiles, as representatives of this society attended the annual meeting of the Yorkshire Naturalists’ Union at Barnsley & confirmed the written invitation from this Society asking the Y.N.U. to hold its Annual Meeting in Doncaster next year, the decision to send this invitation having been arrived at at a committee meeting held on Feb 27. The following gentlemen being present, Rev. Canon Brock, Ren Geo. Smith, Dr. J.M. Wilson, Messrs. Kirk, Easterfield, Cockill, & Stiles.
The invitation was accepted.
Signed : Mitchell Wilson, Chairman.
Ordinary Meeting Mar 19 1884
Dr. J. Mitchell Wilson (Vice President) in the chair.
Twelve members were present.
Mr. T.J. Hasselby read a paper on “Tea & its Allies”.
Tea had been used in China for over 1000 years but its introduction into this country dated back only to the reign of Charles 2nd about the year 1650. Its price at this time was from £5 to £10 per lb. A tax of 1/-6 per gallon was soon put upon it but in 1689 a duty of 5/- per lb. was levied in its place.
Particulars were then given as to the growth & production of Tea, the writer stating that Black & Green Tea was produced by the same tree by a variation in the time of gather & the mode of treatment.
Respecting the composition of tea the two most valuable constituents were Theine, the active principle of a Volatile Oil which imparts aroma & flavour. Theine is a crystalline substance of an alkaline nature & rich in nitrogen. Its action was twofold, checking waste of tissue & increasing vital force. The differences in the money value of tea were due rather to the flavouring volatile oil than to the amount of Theine in it.
M. Hasselby then explained the meaning of the terms given to the different varieties of tea & also gave ab account of the flavouring agents used in making up tea for the market. He then fully described the sources & particularities of Coffee, Cocoa, Kola, Coca, Guarana & other substances closely allied to tea in their properties & used either as beverages or medicines in this and other countries, one striking peculiarity in all of these being the presence of an active principle nearly if not quite identical with Theine in its chemical composition & physiological action.
The paper was abundantly illustrated with specimens of the various plants alluded to, these having been very kindly lent by the authorities at the Kew Museum & by the Pharmaceutical Society.
Several questions raised in the paper were then discussed at some length, after which a vote of thanks to the author was proposed by the chairman & seconded by the Hon. Secretary.
Signed : C Brock.
Ordinary Meeting April 9, 1884
(blank)
Exhibition Meeting April 30 18843
(blank)
Committee Meeting Oct 1 1884
Present Revs. Canon Brock, G. Smith, A.H. Faber, Dr. J.M. Wilson, Messrs. Kirk, Easterfield & M.H. Stiles.
After discussing the programme of the society for the coming session, it was proposed by Canon Brock & seconded by Dr, Wilson – That no meetings of the society shall be held during the period in which the University Extension Lectures are arranged to be delivered (middle of January to end of February 1885).
Committee Meeting Oct 7 1884
Present Rev. G. Smith, Dr. J.M. Wilson, Messrs. Kirk, & Stiles (Hon. Sec.)
The draft report prepared by the Hon. Sec. was read & with sundry alterations adopted.
Balance Sheet – i Oct 1884
(blank)
Annual Report 1883-1884
(blank)
General Meeting Oct 8 1884
Dr. J.M. Wilson (Vice President) in the chair.
The report as read by the Hon. Sec. was unanimously adopted on the motion of Mr. H. Somerset, seconded by Mr. W.H. Stott.
Mr. H. Cockill & Mr. W.H. Stott were elected members of the committee in place of Mr. W. Cockill & Mr. J.W. Smith.
The remaining members of the committee were then re-elected.
The Committee for 1884-85 consists of the following.
President – Rev, Canon Brock, M.A.
Vice Presidents – Rev. W.R. Weston, J. Mitchell Wilson, M.D., The Rev. G. Smith, M.A., The Rev. A.H. Fabes, M.A.
Secretary & Treasurer – M.H. Stiles
Committee – B.S. Brundell, H. Cockill, T.H. Easterfield, J.M. Kirk, W.H. Stott, G. Tindall, G. Winter.
Mr. Kirk related the substance of a conversation he had with Canon Brock in which Canon Brock remarked that owing to his removal into the country he would be unable to attend the Ordinary Meetings of the society & that if proposed as President he wished this mentioned at the meeting.
The Rev. gentleman was unanimously re-elected & the Secretary was requested to convey to him by letter the cordial feeling of the meeting as expressed on the occasion.
Signed : Winter Cockill.
Pasted onto the next page in the minute book were two items.
1. A copy of the Programme, 1884-85
2. A newspaper cutting that reported the Exhibition Meeting held on 22 October 1884
Programme, 1884=85
1884
Oct 8 General Meeting.
Oct 22 Exhibition Meeting.
Nov 12 J. Mitchell Wilson. An Analysis of Water.
Dec 10 W.H. Stott. Plant Life, with Lantern Illustrations.
1885
Jan 7 T.H. Easterfield. The geology of Doncaster.
Feb 25 T.J. Hasselby. Food and its varieties.
Mar 3 CONVERSAZIONE on the occasion of the Annual Meeting of the YORKSHIRE NATURALIST’S UNION in Doncaster, Address by the President the Right Hon. Lord Walsingham, M.A., F.L.S.
Apr 1 J.M. Kirk. Animal Life in its Lower Forms, Fourth Paper, Specimens found near Doncaster.
Apr 29 The Rev. W.R. Weston. Will and Law.
DONCASTER MICROSCOPICAL AND GENERAL SCIENTIFIC SOCIETY. – The first meeting of the session was held (by kind permission of the head master) in the Grammar School this Wednesday evening, October 22nd. A considerable number of the members and their friends were present, and appeared to derive much enjoyment from the meeting, which on this occasion took the form of an exhibition of microscopical, scientific instruments etc. etc. There was an excellent display of living and other specimens under the microscopes of the Rev. Canon Brock, Messrs., B.S. Brundell, Cockil, Jackson, Kirk, Matthewman, Milner, Roberts, Stiles, and Tindall. A very fine chemical balance was exhibited by Dr. J.M. Wilson, who, in explaining its workings, pointed out the great advantages resulting from the employment of the metric system of weights and measures, specially for scientific purposes. Mr. W, H. Stott was present with his optical lantern and showed on the screen a series of enlarged microscopic objects; he also exhibited a model pump and a swing, both worked by electricity. Mr. J.M. Kirk furnished a collection of beautiful drawings, chiefly illustrative of the lower forms of animal life. Mr. Stiles performed a number of experiments with a large and costly air-pump belonging to the president (the Rev. Canon Brock). The Free Library Authorities very kindly lent a valuable collection of illustrated books, mainly relating to arts and sciences. An attractive and varied programme for the session 1884-85 has been drawn up, copies of which were distributed throughout the room. The next meeting will be held on November 12th, subject –“An analysis of water,” by Dr. J. Mitchell Wilson.
Nov 12 1884
The second meeting of the session was held by special permission in the Christ Church Parish Room.
Mr. Winter Cockill in the chair.
Twenty members & friends were present.
The following nominations for membership were made.
Mr. Lindley, proposed by Mr. W.H. Stott & seconded by Mr. Stiles.
Mr. L Atkinson, Proposed by Dr. J.M. Wilson & seconded by Mr. Stiles.
A printed report of the Lecture given by Dr. J.M. Wilson is posted on the next page.
[A newspaper cutting is pasted onto the following page.]
Gazette Report (M.H. Stiles)
DONCASTER MICROSCOPICAL AND SCIENTIFIC SOCIETY – A meeting of the above society was held in the Christ Church Parish-room on Wednesday evening week, Mr. Winter Cockil in the chair. A lecture entitled “An analysis of water,” was given by Dr, J. Mitchell Wilson. The lecturer sketched an outline of the methods of water analysis usually employed by chemists, more especially dwelling on that devise by Wanklyn and Chapman, now generally known as the ammonia process. In this the nitrogenous organic matter is converted into ammonia by suitable oxidizing agents, then distilled and estimated by Nessler’s list.* This test is so extremely delicate that one part of ammonia in ten million parts of water can easily be detected. It is true that chemical analysis cannot absolutely distinguished between harmless and virulent organic matter in water, but, by an intelligent study of the surroundings of the source, coupled with the application of tests for other impurities which invariably accompany organic contamination, a fairly sound opinion as to the value of water for drinking purposes may be formed. Dr, Wilson drew attention to the importance of the microscopical and physiological examination of water, especially alluding to the labours of Dr, Angus Smith in the latter department – labours which had opened out a new and highly-important field of research. The lecturer then performed a complete analysis of a sample of water, which included the estimation of total solids, chlorine, free and albuminoid ammonia, hardness etc. The tests for lead, iron, nitrates and nitrites were also shown and explained. The lecture throughout was listened to with marked attention, and at the close a hearty vote of thanks was proposed by the Chairman, and seconded by Mr. Hasselby. Owing to the length of time taken up by the lecture and experiments, the usual discussion was omitted.
* [A correction was later added to the cutting which deleted ‘list’ and inserted ‘test’.]
Dec 10 1884
The third meeting of the session was held in the Grammar School.
Mr. J.M. Kirk in the chair.
Twenty five members & friends were present.
Mr. Lindley & Mr. Atkinson who had been duly nominated & seconded at the previous meeting were elected members of the society.
Mr. T.S. Brooke was proposed for membership by Mr. Stott & seconded by Mr. Hasselby.
A paper on Plant Life was read by Mr. W. H. Stott.
Chronicle Dec 19, 1884
[A paper cutting is inserted under the above text].
“In his opening remarks the lecturer alluded to the importance of the study of botany as one bearing upon the necessities, conveniences and elegancies of life. Generally speaking a plant was a living being destitute of sensation and the power of voluntary motion. Botany had for its object the study of all the parts of the plant and their relation to each other. Cells, modified in various ways, entered into the structure of the whole of the tissues of a plant. The varied forms of root, stem, leaf, and flower, and their important functions were fully described, more especially those relating to the formation and maturing of seeds as a means of continuing and preserving the species. Mr. Stott drew attention to the remarkable analogies between plants and animals, and noted the many curious phenomena they presented. They might be said to drink and breathe, some even to eat or to give evidence of peculiar powers of movement. The lecture was admirably illustrated by a series of sixty beautiful lantern slides, many of them specially prepared for the occasion: the magnified representations of stem, leaf, and flower structure calling for special notice. A cordial vote of thanks to the lecturer was proposed by the chairman and carried unanimously.”
[The page was signed below the cutting]
Mitchell Wilson
Jan 7 1885
The fourth meeting of the session was held in the Grammar School, Dr. J.M. Wilson (Vice President) [in the chair]
Twenty four members & friends were present.
Mr. T.S. Brooke, who had been duly nominated & seconded at the previous meeting was elected as member of the society.
[A paper cutting was attached below the above text]
“A paper was read by Mr. T.H. Easterfield, of Clare College, Cambridge, upon “Geology of Doncaster.” To begin with the lecturer pointed out a few general principles upon which the science of geology mainly depended, illustrating his remarks by diagrams upon the black-board. He then drew up a rough classification of the stratified rocks of Great Britain, giving in detail the rocks which occur near Doncaster. After this the lecturer took his audience for an imaginary walk from Doncaster to Conisbro.’ Starting from St. James’s Church and going towards Balby Bridge, he pointed out that the ground slopes up onto a gentle hill, and in order to see of what this hill is composed the expedition went into the sand pit opposite to St. James’s Cottage. The strata here consists of a thick incoherent sandstone of a deep red colour capped by a few feet of loose sand and gravel. This red sandstone is known to geologists as the “New Red Sandstone,” to distinguish it from the “Old Red Sandstone” of Scotland and Herefordshire. The red colour is due to the presence of iron, which was demonstrated by a chemical experiment. The party then proceeded down the lane at the back of Mr. Fisher’s park, going towards Warmsworth Church. Where the lane runs alongside of the railway, attention was drawn to a quarry which shows the “Upper Marl” lying upon the “Upper Magnesian Limestone.” The walk next brought the party to the railway cutting at Warmsworth, in which the “Upper Magnesian Limestone,” “Middle Permian Mar,” and “Lower Magnesian Limestone” occur. The lower and upper limestones were contrasted, the former being thick and massive, the latter finely laminated and much more earthy. A slab of the lower limestone full of fossil shells of the genus “Axinus” was then exhibited.
Mr. Easterfield then asked the audience to accompany him to the Conisbro’ brick works, where the power limestone is seen to rest upon the coal measures. The coal measures were then described and some of their fossils passed round for inspection. The meaning of the terms “fault,” “deceptive conformity,” and “outcrop” was then explained and illustrated by examples in the neighbourhood of Doncaster. The influence of hard rocks and soft ones when occurring close together upon scenery was then alluded to. The villages of Conisbro’, Edlington, Clifton, and Melton are all situated upon the hard lower limestone, whilst the valley which lies beneath these villages is composed of softer strata belonging to the coal measures. In conclusion the lecturer asked his audience to observe every quarry and railway cutting, or even openings made in the road when water and gas pipes were being laid, telling them that by constantly noticing the order of the strata as exposed in such openings a very fair idea of the geology of any particular district might be acquired. – A discussion followed, in which the Chairman (Dr. J.M. Wilson), Messrs. Anely,* Easterfield, Furnival, and Walker took part. A vote of thanks to the lecturer terminated the meeting.
*[A correction was made at the side of the page, where the name ‘Anely’ was crossed out and ‘Athron’ added.]
After the cutting the page was signed by W.E. Shirley.
Feb 25 1885
The fifth Meeting of the session was held in the Grammar School.
Mr. W.E. Shirley in the Chair.
Twenty members & friends were present.
The following nominations for membership were made.
Mr. Willoughby, proposed by Mr. Kirk & seconded by Mr. Stiles.
Mrs. Dearden, proposed by Mr. Stiles & seconded by Mr. Shirley Blackburn.
A paper on “Food, its variety and Value” was read by Mr. Hasselby.
[A paper cutting was attached after the above text]
“Hasselby. The lecturer commenced by defining food as “Substance, which when introduced into the system supplied material to renew structure, or maintain some vital force,” and observed that every division of nature, earth, air, and water contributed their share for the sustentation of man’s life. As yet, no one substance had been found that would supply every need in itself. Some contained more requirements than others, and were termed compound foods; others only one, and were classed as simple foods. The value of foods had to be determined from different stand points. First, there was a Class which contained greater quantity of assimilatable [sic} material bulk for bulk, and irrespective of cost. Secondary, some were more easily digested than others, and gave more rapid effects. Thirdly, others would give the support necessary, at a lower cost in money value than the preceding classes. In the consideration of “What purpose does food serve, and how does it act,” it was observed that the repairing of, waste tissue, generation of power (physical or mental), and the generation of heat were the results of food, but how the processes were carried out no one could tell. Food was generally divided into two great classes, flesh formers and heat generators, this was at the best a rough classification, as the formation of the first involved the latter, while heat generators generally produced fat, a form of flesh. Liebig was of opinion that all nitrogenous foods (flesh formers) produced force, while carbonaceous materials as sugar, starch, or fat produced heat and respiration, one staying in the system, the other being rapidly evolved. With the advance of science these views had been controverted by Troube, Hahueman, and others, whose investigations had led them to assert that force and energy were derived from the oxidation of fat and other hydrocarbons, and not from the oxidation of tissue. The subject was further considered under the constituent needs of the body – water, nitrogenous substances, heat-formers, and lastly, mineral salts. Water, at first sight, would not be classed as food, but forming 75 per cent of muscular tissue and of blood, remembering the facts that we exhale 1lb. every 24 hours, and perspire 2lbs. more, the part it plays as a carrier of flesh matter holding in solution all that is needed, and being a medium for waste to pass off, also a controller of the temperature of the body, these place it where physiologists rank it.
The second place was held by a class of foods denominated, nitrogenous (containing nitrogen), a class existing in both the animal and vegetable kingdoms; man generally choose the former for his supplies, a few preferring the latter. The possession by man of carnivorous teeth, the relatives sizes of human and animal stomachs were arguments for the use of the former, while cost and absence of pain or death to animals might be brought forward in favour of the latter. A table has been prepared showing the respective constituents of animal and vegetable foods, from which it was seen that animal foods contain from 15 to 60 per cent. of water, 7 to 18 per cent. of flesh, formers (bacon being lowest and store oven the highest), 6 to 70 per cent. of fat, according to the condition of the animal, and 1 to 6 on mineral salts.
In the vegetable division lentils stood highest, with 25 per cent. and turnips, carrots and parsnips lowest with only 1 1/2 of nitrogenous matter, but the drawback of vegetable articles as food was great, their taste and digestibility preventing more frequent use. Most of the invalid foods, as Dn Barry’s and Lloyd’s were principally composed of lentils.
Maize (Indian Corn) and oats, as oatmeal, rank next, but their use is limited to certain districts, and white wheaten flower bread has taken their place, even by the navy, who finds its taste and staying powers sufficient for their work. Whole meal bread has the drawback of hastening the food through the body before its value is separated. Potatoes have a low nitrogenous value, and the wonder is that they are used so much, unless they are used as heat formers. Carbonaceous foods as fat, starch, and sugar were then passed in review, their effects being to heighten respiration and produce warmth. Mineral salts, their necessity, and the work they accomplish, were then briefly noticed.
A vote of thanks being accorded to Mr. Hasselby, an interesting discussion took place on various points by Messrs. Shirley, Branston, Styles, Kirk, Parkin,* and others.
[* a note in the side margin corrected ‘Parkin’ as ‘Loxley’.]
After the paper cutting the following was signed.
Confirmed, W.R. Weston.
A detailed report of the meeting of the Y.N.U. will be found further on in the Annual Report of the Society.
1885
April 8th (postponed from April 1st)
The sixth meeting of the session was held in the Grammar School.
The Rev. W.R. Weston (vice President) in the chair.
Thirty six members & friends were present.
Mrs. Dearden & Mr. Willoughby who had been duly nominated & seconded at the previous meeting were elected members of the society.
Mr. T.H. Brooke was proposed by Mr. Kirk & seconded by Mr. Stiles.
[A newspaper cutting was added under the above text]
“Mr. Kirk read a paper on “The lower forms of animal life – specimens found near Doncaster.”
The paper was a continuation of three others on the same subject, all being confined to an examination and description og the minute animal life found in water. It was shown that almost every variety prized by microscopists is to be found in this neighbourhood. A list of the more interesting species was given and the places mentioned where they are to be found. A large gathering of floscularia from the railway cutting at Bentley, also the presence of volox globator on the Carr may be mentioned. The lecturer gave a explanation of the present state of our knowledge of the apparently marrow line dividing the animal and vegetable kingdoms, dwelling on their form and shape, internal structure, nature of food, and chemical composition. The paper was illustrated by a large number of beautiful drawings specially prepared, and by an exhibition of living specimens under the microscope. The meeting concluded with a discussion on the presence or absence of animal life in drinking waters. A cordial vote of thanks to the lecturer was proposed by Mr. Stiles and seconded by Mr. Furnival.”
Signed : Canon Brock
Two blank pages followed
Committee Meeting Dec 9 1885
Present – Dr. J.M. Wilson, Rev. Geo. Smith, Messrs. Kirk, Stiles, & Stott.
A draft statement of account for the past session was presented by the Hon. Sec.
Mr. Stott was requested to audit the accounts in readiness for the General Meeting which was fixed for Wednesday Dec 16.
This meeting was adjourned to Friday Dec 11th at 4.30 p.m. & the Hon. Sec. was desrid [sic] to send out notices specifying the objects of the meeting.
Adjourned Committee Meeting Dec 11 1885
Present – Rev. Canon Brock, Dr. J.M. Wilson, Rev. G. Smith, Messrs. Kirk, Stiles & Stott.
A draft Report to be presented to the General Meeting was read, discussed, altered & agreed to.
The following recommendations to the General Meeting were agreed to.
That in future all Papers to read before the Society shall be placed at the disposal of the committee with the view to being printed.
That the Hon. Sec. & Mr. Stott obtain an estimate for printing the Report & Balance sheet together with the Programme.
That Mr. J.M. Kirk become a Vice-President & Mr. W. Roberts a member of the committee.
That certain alterations be made in the rule affecting the election of officers.
Statement of Accounts 1884-5
| Receipts | |
| By 51 members subscriptions | 12. 15. 0 |
| By 2 members subscriptions for 83-84 | 10. 0 |
| By Donation | 5. o |
| By Balance due to Treasurer Oct 1885 | 1. 4. 5 |
| 14. 14. 5 | |
| Expenses | |
| To Conversazione | 9. 5. 8 |
| To Attendance & Gas | |
| (Grammar School) | 9. 6 |
| (Ch. Ch. Room) | 2. o |
| To Printing | 2. 12. o |
| To Correspondence & notices | 1. 10. 8 |
| To Cash due to Treasurer from previous session | 14. 7 |
| 14. 14. 5 |
<hr>
Annual Report 1884-5
Your Committee before presenting the sixth annual report of the Doncaster Microscopical & General Scientific Society wish to explain why the 1885-86 Session has not begun at the usual time in October. It was generally felt, both by the Committee & several members, that in view of the weekly Lectures of the University Extension Society it would scarcely be wise to attempt to hold the meeting of the Society before Christmas.
In reviewing the work of the past session your Committee would throw into especial prominence the Annual Meeting of the Yorkshire Naturalists’ Union held for the first time in Doncaster in March last. By the extreme kindness & courtesy of the Mayor (Mr. Alderman Hough) the Mansion House was placed at the disposal of the Society and the fact of the meetings being held in this handsome & appropriate building contributed in no small degree to this success. The purely business gathering were held in the afternoon & was attended by members of the Union & delegates from affiliated Societies in all parts of Yorkshire.
In the evening the members re-assembled in the Mansion House to hear Lord Walsingham (President of the Union) deliver the Annual Address. He chose for his subject “Some probable causes of the melanic variation of the Lepidoptera of High Latitudes” & read a most able & exhaustive memoir on this somewhat debatable question.
The remainder of the evening was devoted to a Microscopical Conversazione arranged by the members of this society with the help of members friends & members of the Union. About 60 microscopes were exhibited with objects from nearly all departments of science.
The gathering was acknowledged on all sides to be the most successful of its kind ever held in Doncaster, indeed the Secretary of the union wrote of it afterwards as the most satisfactory Annual Meeting they had ever had & as one that he did not think would be excelled.
In addition to this Conversazione the Ordinary Programme consisted of an Exhibition Meeting & six Papers of Lectures as follows :-
“An Analysis of Water”, by Dr. Mitchell Wilson.
“Plant Life” with Lantern illustrations by Mr. W.H. Stott.
“The Geology of Doncaster”, by Mr. T.H. Easterfield.
“Food & its Varieties”, by Mr. T.J. Hasselby.
“Animal Life in its Lower Forms” (fourth paper) Specimens found in Doncaster, by Mr. J.M. Kirk.
“Will & Law” , by the Rev. W.R. Weston.
Although much trouble had been taken by the various readers in preparing their Pa[pers, it is a matter of regret to your committee that larger audiences did not assemble to hear them; the average attendance for the past session being 23 as compared with 28 the previous one & it must be borne in mind that a considerable portion of those who do attend are not members.
During the past year the number of members has been reduced from 65 to 51, but notwithstanding the reduction & the heavy expenses attendant on the Conversazione, the society is but slightly worse off than it was at this time last year: then the accounts showed a deficiency of about 15/- now it is 25/- but there are several subscriptions still unpaid which will probably convert this into a small balance.
As in the coming session there will be no serious drain upon the income of the society your committee hope that they will be enabled to make some attempt to give greater prominence to the work done by its members, Increased strength is not inconsistent with diminished membership it is thought that the society has a career of considerable usefulness before it especially if means be taken to obtain & preserve a permanent record of its labours.
It is proposed that the actual work of the current session shall begin about thee middle of January & end in April. The programme will consist of six papers or lectures, several of which are already promised, given at intervals of a fortnight. Some of these will be illustrated by the Oxy-Hydrogen Lantern & will it is hoped provide especially attraction & be the means of securing good & appreciative audiences.
Signed Mitchell Wilson.
General Meeting Dec 16 1885
Dr. J. Mitchell Wilson (Vice President) in the chair/.
12 Members present.
The Annual report having been read & the Balance sheet presented , it was resolved that the said report with the balance sheet be adopted & printed.
The following alterations the the rules were proposed (by Mr. J.M. Wilson & Mr. Stiles) & agreed to:
The Rules altered now read as follows:-
Rule 2 – That the officers of the society consist of a President, Four Vice-Presidents, Six members of the Committee & an Honorary Secretary (who shall also act as Treasurer).
The President, one Vice-president & two members of the Committee to retire annually in rotation & not be eligible for re-election to the same position for one year. The officers shall have power to fill up occasional vacancies.
Rule 6 – The name of any person desiring to become a member shall be submitted through the Honorary Secretary to the committee. If approved his or her name shall be entered on the notice of the next meeting at which meeting the election shall take place.
The voting to be by ballot & a majority of three-forths being necessary to secure election.
The following gentlemen were then elected officers for the coming session:-
President – The Rev. W.R. Weston.
Vice-presidents – Dr. J. Mitchell Wilson, Rev. Geo. Smith, Rev. Canon Brock, Mr. J.M. Kirk.
Committee – H. Cockill, T.H. Easterfield, Rev. A.H. Fabes, W. Roberts, W.H. Stott, J.G. Walker.
Hon. Sec. & Treasurer – M.H. Stiles.
Votes of thanks to the Rev, Geo. Smith for his continued kindness in allowing the Society the use of Grammar School & to Mr. Stiles for his services as Hon. Secretary & Treasurer were carried unanimously ; after which the meeting closed.
Signed W.R. Weston, President.
Jan 13 1886
The first meeting of the session was held in the Grammar School, the rev. W.R. Weston, President, in the chair.
Thirty three members and friends were present.
Mr. Geo. Charles was elected a member of the society.
[A paper cutting was attached to the minute book below the above text.]
“Mr. T.H. Easterfield scholar of Clare College, Cambridge, then read a paper on “Heat, what it is and what it does.” Mr. Easterfield began his paper by pointing out that though all people knew the difference between hot and cold weather, no person’s senses could be relied upon to tell accurately how much hotter one day was than some other day, or one body than some other body. He then showed by experiment that solids, liquids, and gasses all expand when heated and contracted when cooled. A red hot iron was fixed tightly in a cast-iron frame; upon cooling, the contraction of the bar broke the frame in which it was placed. He then briefly described how thermometers are made and graduated, and explained the differences between the thermometer scales in common use. The lecturer then passed on to the subject of quantity of heat, and pointed out that two different bodies, though of the same size and temperature, might contain different quantities of heat. This he proved by placing bullets of lead and zinc at the same temperature upon a cake of wax. The zinc contained more heat than the lead and quickly dropped through the wax cake, but the lead did not posses heat enough to melt a hole through the wax. Speaking of latent heat or the heat absorbed by a body upon changing its state, he showed that steam had a much greater heating effect than boiling water. He then explained that heat might be conveyed away from a body in three different ways, and that all bodies did not conduct heat at the same rate which was proved by experiments with bars of wood, iron, and copper. Mr. W=Easterfield went on to say what heat was, and pointed out the errors in caloric theory, which was formerly so popular. He then alluded to experiments by Sir H. Davey, Joule, Hirn, and others which proved that mechanical work could be converted into heat, and the heat back again into the same amount of mechanical work. Owing to the time taken up by the lecture and experiments a short discussion only followed.”
Signed J.M. Kirk, Vice President.
Jan 27 1886
The second meeting of the session was held in the Grammar School, Mr. J. M. Kirk, Vice-President in the chair.
Twenty four members & friends were present.
The Rev. A.C.E. Blowfield (Vicar of Campsall) was elected a member of the society.
Dr. Fairbank read (by request) a paper on “Roche Abbey & the Cistercian Order.”
The Cistercian order arose in the 11th century through a desire to reform abuses in the great Benedictine Order. In the year 1098 Robert, abbot of Molesme founded the monastery of Citeaux or Cistercian in order to restore the ancient discipline. In about a year he returned to Molesme abberic & the Prior of the new house was made abbot, to him in 1109 succeeded Stephen Harding an Englishman & under his rule the order grew into one of great power.
Simplicity in life, religion & dress was especially aimed at. Labour was a distinctive feature of the order & in this the monks were helped by a subordinate class of lay-brethren called conversi. A prominent feature of the Cistercian Order was the filial dependence of the various houses on those from which they had sprung. Citeaux was the common ancestor & its Abbot had the right of visiting ant monastery of the order that he pleased & wherever he went the Abbot gave up his place to him. Each Abbot also went each year to inspect the abbeys which had sprung from his own house. The progress of the order was very rapid, within 50 years of its foundation it numbered 500 abbeys & during the next half century 1800 in course of time these increased to 10,000.
The order was introduced into England in 1128 by the foundation of the Abbey of Waverley in Surrey & it quickly extended over the whole land. The first house of the order in Yorkshire was Fountains Abbey. This beautiful structure was founded in 1132 by a colony from the Benedictine abbey of St. Mary of York. The abbey of Newminster spung from this & from Newminster originated three other monasteries of which Roche , built about the middle of the 12th century, was one.
The monasteries of this order were most of them built at the time when architectural style was passing from the Norman or Romanesque to the pointed Gothic. They are therefore of extreme interest in demonstrating the various steps by which this changed was brought about, & in no other buildings is this so well shown.
The situation of Roche Abbey is so extremely beautiful that visitors are attracted to it in great numbers. During the past two years extensive excavations have been made with the view of laying open the whole plan of the monastery. The portions previously visible were a small fragment of the church & the gate-house some distance away. This portion of the church was the east side of the transepts with a space between which was the choir & was until recently all that was known as Roche Abbey. The ruins extended quite across the narrow valley resembling in this respect & in their general plan the arrangement of Cistercian Abbeys in general. At Roche the church was the chief building. It was cruciform, 210 feet long & 99 feet across the transepts. It had a central tower & a long nave of 8 bays.
The monastery included the Sacristy, Chapter House, Parlour or Locutorium, a Day-room, Dormitory, Scriptorium, Kitchen & Buttery, all enclosing the cloisters, the latter being covered with a roof over each of its four walks. The whole of these with other necessary buildings & offices were surrounded by a wall with an entrance through a gatehouse where the porter lived & kept strict guard over all who entered & left the place.
The lecturer gave a detailed account of the excavations & of the interesting discoveries made by means of them & also described at considerable length the chief architectural features of the ruins, illustrating this portion of the lecture by means of a beautiful series of slides prepared from original photographs & shown by a oxy-hydrogen Lantern. At the conclusion several specimens of Stained Glass, carved stone & other remains from the ruins were exhibited & much admired.
A hearty vote of thanks to Mr. Fairbank for his most interesting & exhaustive lecture was carried unanimously.
Signed W.R. Weston.
Feb 10 1886.
The third meeting of the session was held in the new Court Room at the Guildhall, the Rev, W.R. Weston (President) in the chair.
Nineteen members & friends were present.
Mr. R. Robinson, Thorn Rd. & Mr. W.E. Atkinson, Regent Square were elected members of the society.
Mr. T.J. Hasselby read a paper on “Perfumes, pleasing & otherwise.”
In the course of a pleasant & instructive lecture Mr. Hasselby gave an exhaustive descriptive of the more important natural perfumes of both vegetable & animal origin, describing their sources, methods of production & peculiarities. Specimens of nearly every perfume named were passed round for the inspection (& where suitable for the use) of the audience.
In the production of simple odours 3 processes were chiefly employed. Distillation with water or steam as in oil of Lavender; Pressure of the scraped Rind as in oil of Lemon; Enfleurage or the absorption of the odour by fat as in Violet & Jasmin Perfumes. Compound odours or Bouquets are produced by the judicious blending of natural perfumes & even simple perfumes such as Violet & White Rose have their fragrance enhanced & rendered more permanent by careful mixing with others suitable scents.
A good discussion followed in which Messrs. Kirk, Roberts, Stiles, Dr. J.M. Wilson & the Lecturer took part. A vote of thanks to Mr. Hasselby concluded the meeting.
Signed Mitchell Wilson, Chairman.
Feb 24 1886
The Fourth Meeting of the session was held in the new Court Room at the Guildhall.
Dr. J Mitchell Wilson (Vice-president) in the chair.
Fourteen members & friends were present.
Mr. W. H. Stott read a paper on “Insect Life”, illustrated by a series of illustrations shown by a powerful Optical Lantern.
In introducing the subject he gave a definition of an Insect & spoke of its life & changes & of nature’s operations in the distribution of insects. He then made special allusion to the habits & anatomy of the spiders, exhibiting pictures of the leg, calamistrum foot with its peculiar comb like claws & spinnerets. The flea, louse, aphids, froghoppers, scorpion, dragon fly were each in their turn illustrated & described, special reference being made to the anatomy & transformations of the latter.
Mr. Stott then gave an interesting account of the Life & Habits of the Ant, mentioning the different varieties of these wonderfully intelligent insects. Descriptions of many other insects were given including the saw-fly, grasshopper, cricket, blow fly, house fly, butterfly, moths, silkworm, bees, wasps, & beetles. In the majority of instances photographic illustrations of the insect was thrown upon the screen , very considerably adding to the interest of the lecture.
A short discussion followed after which a vote of thanks to Mr. Stott was proposed & carried unanimously.
March 10 1886.
The Fifth Meeting of the Session was held in the Guildhall (Mason’s Room).
Mr. J.M. Kirk, Vice President in the chair.
Sixteen members & friends were present.
[A paper cutting was pasted into the minute book below the above text]
“A paper was read by Mr. J.G. Walker, C.E. entitled “Our Iron Roads and how they were made.”
After remarking that an ideal line of railway would perhaps be one that was straight and one that was level, the lecturer went on to explain that, owing to the undulating character of this and most other countries, economic considerations rendered it rarely possible to carry out this ideal and that to avoid heavy earthworks it was found necessary to conform, more or less, to the general undulations of the country, and to skirt the sides of hills with the line, and these two considerations introduced into railway construction, what are known as gradients and curves.
The lecturer next proceeded to explain the principles which guide the engineer to a final determination as to a choice of route, and stated that as a rule that section was the best which showed the least divergence from a straight and level line. It was important also to select, when possible, such points for the crossing of public roads and rivers as would cause the least disturbance to existing conditions.
The method of ranging the centre line and setting out curves was then explained, and how the longitudinal section was prepared and the gradients laid down upon it so as to give, as near as possible, a balance of earthwork between cutting and embankment. The cross sections were next touched upon, and it was shown how from them was calculated the quantity of earthworks and how the side widths were obtained, which, marked upon the plan, showed the acreage of land which it was requisite to purchase for the making of the line.
The practical operations of railway construction were next considered. After referring to the forming of cuttings and embankments, and the methods adopted to prevent slips, the lecturer proceeded to the consideration of bridges which he divided under two heads, viz, arch and girder. Briefly referring to these classes and the principles of their construction, the lecturer passed on to the subject of tunnels, and explained with some degree of minuteness how this important and rather difficult class of work was carried out. A short reference to the method of laying the permanent way, comprising ballast, rails, sleepers, etc., brought the paper to a close.
The lecture was illustrated throughout by diagrams of the different works referred to, as well as by numerous sketches on the black board. A short discussion followed the reading of the paper, after which a vote of thanks to the lecturer terminated the proceedings.”
Signed Mitchell Wilson.
March 24 1886
The Sixth Meeting of the Session was held in the new Court Room Guildhall.
Cr. J.M. Wilson Vice President in the chair.
Thirty six members & friends were present.
At the opening of the meeting Mr. Kirk announced that in the capacity of delegate he had attended the Annual Meeting of the Y.N.U. at Beverly, presided over by the Rev. Dr. Dallinger, F.R.S. on this occasion a Microscopical Section, More especially devoted to the study of the lower forms of animal & vegetable life, was formed & Mr. Kirk was chosen secretary of the department relating to Animal Life, a branch to which he has devoted much attention.
A paper on Photo-micrography by Mr. Kirk & Mr. Stiles was read by the former gentleman.
The paper was illustrated by large number of slides (many (16) of them specially prepared by the authors) exhibited by means of the Oxy-hydrogen Lantern.
[A paper cutting was is pasted onto the page of the minute book following the above text]
“Photo-micrography is that special branch of photography which has for its aim the production of pictures of magnified microscopic objects. Its application dates back many years, even in the days of the old Daguerreotype process. Improvements in photography, especially the introduction of gelatine dry plates, have so much shortened and simplified the methods pursued, that to any microscopist possessing a slight knowledge of photography, the work becomes comparatively easy after a little practice. The apparatus required is simple, consisting of a microscope with a good fine adjustment, a camera, and a base-board on which to arrange these and the source of light. For work with lower and medium powers, a good paraffin lamp is found most convenient, It may be either a duplex or a single-wick lamp. An ordinary passage lamp with a plated reflector answers capitally. Numerous experiments with electric light have not proved its sufficient superiority for this work to compensate for the additional trouble and expense involved. The centre of the lamp flame and the axis of the condenser, object glass, and eye-piece must be in the same line, and should be at right angles with the focussing [sic] glass of the camera. Some operators dispense with the eye-piece, and use an extending camera, but this was not recommended by the authors. It is well known that objectives, especially those of large angle, give a sharp image of but a small portion of an object possessing any appreciable thickness. By careful focussing, images of successive portions or planes may be obtained, and the combination of these in the mind gives it an idea of the structure of the whole, but this, of course, cannot be done in a photograph; only those parts actually in focus are depicted. The powers employed in the production of the pictures to illustrate the paper were 4in., 2in., 1in., 1-5th in., and 1-10th in., with exposures varying from 20 seconds to 5 minutes for transparent objects, and 10 minutes for opaque objects. Microscopic objects not being specially constructed for photographic work, do not, as a rule, give the best results at their ordinary visual focus; in other words, their chemical and visual foci are not usually co-incident. This applies more particularly to the lower powers, and these require a varying amount of correction. This is made by slightly withdrawing the objective from the object. After the requisite exposure the plate is treated exactly as if it were a portrait or landscape. A very convenient for working is the quarter plate (3 1/4 by 4 1/4), as the circle obtained on this is exactly suited for the production of transparencies for the lantern. From the negative thus obtained, a positive has to be taken, and this when mounted is a lantern transparency. Of all methods yet made use of for the illustrations of lectures on the microscope, that by means of lantern slides is the most beautiful and effective. The lantern microscope, which magnifies the object itself, is limited in its application and unsatisfactory in its results. Even with the best appliances it is difficult to obtain a well-illuminated disc above 3 feet in diameter – a size not at all suited for a large audience, and scarcely for a small one. On the other hand, with photo-micrographs prepared as lantern slides, illustrations magnified to any extent can be shown, the only limit being the size of the screen and the intensity of the light. A large number of pictures were exhibited on the screen bt means of the oxy-hydrogen light, each picture being carefully described. Among the most successful may be mentioned:- The section of the eye of a cockchafer, the cones and tubes being beautifully clear; the tongue of the drone fly; the spiracle or external opening in the breathing apparatus of a fly; the tongue of a cricket and of the honey bee; also a few specimens of diatoms, especially heliopelta, arachnoidiscus (taken with the tenth objective and showing great depth of detail, and the beautiful aulacodiscus. Two specimens of triceratium, including the variety septangulayum were very distinct. The “bathybius” of Huxley, including cocoliths and coccospheres was well shown, as also were the opaque pictures of Foraminifera and Polycystina.”
April 7 1886
The seventh Meeting of the Session was held in the new Court Room, Guildhall.
Mr. J.M. Kirk, Vice chairman, in the chair.
Thirty four members & friends were present.
[A paper cutting is inserted on to the page of the minute book below the above mentioned text.]
“A paper on “The Transformation of Insects” was read by Mr. Walter Roberts. Insects to the popular mind are not always very interesting creatures. If any interest be shown to them, it is as to the best means of effecting their destruction, for they are too often regarded as useless pests, to be ruthlessly destroyed at every opportunity. Science, however, by the aid of the microscope and the patient investigations of the naturalist has revealed to us in the insect world forms of beauty, exquisite colourings, wonderous structures, even skill and instinct not surpassed by animals of the higher organisation, while it is also seen that they fill no unimportant part in the economy of nature. The natural world presents to us many strange phenomena but none more wonderful than the metamorphoses or transformation of insects. However rudimentary our knowledge of the habits of insects, we know that they undergo certain changes and have several distinct states and stages of existence, and yet we are informed by so high an authority as Darwin that as recently as 50 years ago the civil and ecclesiastical authorities of San Fernando, in Chili, arrested a certain M. Renous on a charge of witchcraft because he kept some caterpillars which actually turned into butterflies. It has, however, been long known that insects quit the egg in a very different form from that they ultimately assume, passing, in fact, through four different states – the egg, larva, pupa, and imago, or perfect insect. Swammerdam held, and his theory has been adapted by other eminent naturalists, that the larva contained within itself the germ of the future butterfly enclosed in what will be the case of the pupa, Thus, he says, the caterpillar should not be called a simple but a compound animal, and that we should rather term their changes developments and not transformations. This is pronounced by Sir John Lubbock to be a mistake, but he admits that if you examine a larva just before it is full grown, you may discover the future pupa, and if you examine a pupa about to disclose a butterfly, you will find the future insect, soft indeed, but easily recognisable, within the pupa skin. The metamorphoses of a variety of insects were explained and illustrated by drawings, The meeting closed with an interesting discussion and exhibition of specimens under the microscopes.”
A vote of thanks was proposed by Mr. Kirk & seconded by Mr. W.E. Shirley.
April 14 1886.
Committee Meeting at Mr. Kirk’s House.
Present – Fr. J.M. Wilson (Chairman), Messrs. Kirk, Cockill, Roberts, Walker, & Stiles (Hon. Sec.)
Resolved that the (following) letter received from the Rev. Geo. Smith (in reply to a resolution passed in Committee on Feb 5 / 86 & conveyed to him in writing) be entered in the minutes.
Feb 18 1886.
Dear Sir
I beg you will convey to the committee of the Microscopical & General Scientific Society my sincere thanks for the resolution they so kindly passed. If the use of the Schoolroom has been of any use to the Society the knowledge of this fact will be a satisfaction to me. I am obliged to yourself personally for the courtesy in forwarding a copy of the resolution. Believe me, dear Sir,
Yours very truly,
George Smith.
It was proposed by Mr. Kirk & seconded by Mr. Cockill & carried unanimously, that application be made to the Gilchrist Trust for a course of Lectures the Society being now able to offer a room in every way suitable.
Proposed by Dr. J.M. Wilson & seconded by Mr. Cockill that the Hon. Sec. obtain from the author a full abstract of the paper read before the society during the past session with a view to publication.
Resolved that Mr. Kirk be granted the use of the Microscopic Dictionary when he requires it in connection with the meetings of the Y.N.U.
Oct 5 1886.
Committee Meeting in Mr. Kirk’s House.
Present – Mr. J.M. Kirk, (in the chair) The Rev. Geo. Smith, Mr. T.H. Easterfield, & Mr. Stiles. (Hon. Sec.).
Resolved – that Mr. Brown’s Room in High St. be engaged for the meetings of the society at a cost of 5/- per night.
Resolved – that Messrs. Hastley & Son’s estimate for printing the Report and Transactions be accepted & that the matter put in hand as soon as possible after the General Meeting which was arranged for Wednesday Oct 13th.
The Hon. Sec. read a letter from the Secretary of the Gilchrist Trust stating that the trustees were unable to grant a course of Lectures for Doncaster during the coming season.
It was afterwards resolved that this meeting be adjourned to Monday next at 4,30 p.m.
Adjourned Committee Meeting Oct 11 1886.
Present – Mr. J.M. Kirk (in the chiar), Messrs. Walker, Stott, Roberts, & Stiles.
The draft Report presented by the Secretary was read & approved
Some Conversation then took place as to the order of the retirement of the Committee & it was finally arranged that Messrs. Easterfield & Stott retire by virtue of seniority.
Signed Mitchell Wilson.
[Four loose sheets were found within the minute book. The first of these pages has the signature on the reverse of sheet one of Mr. Stiles, who was Hon. Sec.& treasurer.]
Page 1
Report Oct 1886
Your committee has much pleasure in presenting the Seventh Annual Report of the Doncaster Microscopical & General Scientific Society. During the past year the numerical strength of the society has slightly improved: four new members have been elected & more have declared making five who were in arrears have paid their subscriptions & eight have either declared or not declared / resigned leaving the number of members 52. The number at the corresponding period of last year being 51. This may be regarded as a subject for congratulation being the first time occasion for several years on which the Society has not had to record a falling off.
Page 2.
The Society has held 7 meetings During the past Session 7 meetings have been held not including the General meeting. The Papers or Lectures given were as follows
“Heat, what it is & what it goes” by Mr. T.H. Easterfield.
“Roche Abbey & the Cistercian Order” by F.R. Fairbank M.D.
“Perfumes; pleasant & otherwise” by Mr. T. J. Hassilby
“Insect Life” by Mr. W.H. Stott
“Our Iron Roads & how they are made” by Mr. J.G. Walker
“Photo Micrographs” by Messrs. J.M. Kirk & Mr. H. Stiles
“Insects The Transformation of Insects” by Mr. W. Roberts
Page 3
The average attendance at these meetings was 25 which showed an increase of 2 as can slightly better larger than in the previous years being 25 as compared with 23. In this respect there is still room for considerable improvement & as the Society has now secured a very central & convenient place for its meetings it is earnestly hoped that the efforts of those who spend considerable much time & pains in getting up papers may be better more fully recognised.
At the beginning of the last session the accounts showed a deficiency of about 25/- owing to the absence of any the heavy expenses incurred during previous years. This has now been converted into a balance of over £7-0-0
Page 4
Producing the most satisfactory statement that the Society has had for several years a long time.
It is proposed to carry out this year a recommendation made at the last annual meeting by publishing in Pamphlet form abstracts of all the papers read before the Society during the last session; as this will form a permanent record of the societies work as healthy It is hoped that by this means an some impetus will be given to the works of the society & that the members generally will be induced to take more interest in it.
The Statement of accounts is appended. [not included]