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¥(n-fesl)ivc ^i)ilosop!jical <Sciciet|).

ANNUAL REPORT

I’OR

MDCCCLXXVII.

ANNUAL REPORT

OP THE COUNCIL

OF THE

YOEKSHIRE

PHILOSOPHICAL SOCIETY

MDCCCLXXVII.

PRESENTED TO THE ANNUAL MEETING,

FEBRUARY 5th, 1878.

YORK:

J. SOTHERAN, BOOKSELLER, CONEY STREET.

1 8 7 8.

PATEONESSES

OF THE

¥orlt^i)ire Society.

HEE MAJESTY THE QUEEN.

H. E. H. THE PEINCESS OF WALES.

PATEONS.

H. E. H. THE PEINCE OF WALES.

H. E. H. THE DUKE OF CONNAUGHT.
THE AECHBISHOP OF YOEK.

OFFICERS OF THE SOCIETY, 1878.

PRESIDENT :

His Gtrace the Archbishop of York, F. E. S.

YICE-PEESIDENTS :

The Eight Hon. Lord Londesborough.

The Hon. and Yery Eev. the Dean of York, D. D.
William Henry Eudston Eead, M. A., F. L. S.
Egerton Yernon Harcourt, M. A., F. Gr. S.

The Yen. Archdeacon Hey, M. A.

The Eev. Canon Eaine, M. A.

William Eeed, F. G. S.

John Francis Walker, M. A., F. L. S., F. G. S., F. C. S.,

Member of the Committee of the British Association, &c.

William Walker, F. G. S.

J. H. Gibson, M. D.

TEEASUEEE :

William Gray, F. E. A. S., F. G. S.
COUNCIL :

1876. .William Matterson, M. D.

The Eev. George Eowe, M. A.

Tempest Anderson. M. D., B. Sc.,

Fellow of University College, London.

Joseph Wilkinson, F. E. G. S.

Elected 1877. .John P. Wood.

Eichard Pearson.

Edward W. Smithson.

Elected 1878. .James Melrose.

The Eev. Eobert Daniel.

Alfred Henry Spence.

William Lewin Newman.

William Barnby (for 2 years.)

HON. SECRETAEY:

T. S. Noble, F. E. A. S., F. G. S.

6

OEFICERS OF THE SOCIETY.

CUEATOES :

Gteology .

Mineralogy .

Comparative Anatomy . .

British Ornithology . .

Insects and Crustacea . .

Ethnographical Collection

Antiquarian Department .

Library .

Botany .

*

CONCHOLOGY .

Observatory& Meteorology
iDider the care of a Committee
consisting of .

W. Eeed, F. Gr. S.

W. H. Hudleston, M. a.,
F. Gr. S.

T. Anderson, M. D.

W. H. Eudston Eead, M. A.

F. L. S.

Yen. Archdeacon Hey, M. A.
J. H. Gtibson, M. D.

( Eey. W. Gtreenwell, M. A.

( Eev. J. Eaine, M. a.

Eev. Gr. Eowe, M. a.
William Matterson, M. D.

S. W. North, F. GI-. S.

/ W. Gray, F. E. A. S., F. G. S.
j Yen. Archdeacon Hey, M. A.
^ T. S. Noble, F.E.A.S., F.G.S.

REPORT OF THE COUNCIL

OF THE

YOEKSHIEE PHILOSOPHICAL SOCIETY,

February 5th, 1878.

The gross income of the Society for the year 1877 has been
£1388 16s. lOd., whilst the total expenditure has amounted to
£1587 7s. 5d., leaving a balance due to the Treasurer on the
year’s account of £198 10s. 7d.

Although the income of the Society is apparently below an
average, yet this is not so in fact. The possession of the land,
part of the Manor Shore Estate, late the leasehold property of
the Society, and from which about £100 a year was received in
rents, has been surrendered to the Fine Art Committee, and,
consequently, there is a loss of income to that extent which is
more than counterbalanced by the Crown rent of £120 formerly
paid for the same land, and which has now ceased to be paid.

The Council, however, consider it to be a matter for con¬
gratulation when the extra-ordinary outgoings for the year, on
works absolutely required to maintain the fabric of the Museum,
are taken into account, that the balance due to the Treasurer is
so small in amount.

The damp and unsatisfactory state of the upper rooms in the
Museum, in which the Ethnological collection was exhibited,
had for some time previous to the past year received the
consideration of the Council, and various attempts to remove
the cause of damage had been made, but without success.
The injury to the walls and ceiling at length became so
serious, that the Council resolved to take the opinion of their
Architect, Mr. Atkinson, on the matter: Mr. Atkinson reported

8

REPORT OP THE

that the interior rafters and stone-work of the roof were in so
damaged a condition as to require immediate repair. He
advised that a new roof he built, and at a higher pitch, and
that the two rooms containing the Ethnological collection be
made continuous, whereby considerable space would be gained.
The Council adopted the report, and the required work has
been done, at a cost of £335 14s. 8d., a sum which includes
not only the cost of the repairs, but all expenses incident to
the repair and enlargement of the cases of the Ethnological
collection, and in fitting them to the walls. Ey this alteration
the Society have gained to their Museum a room 62 feet by
18| feet mde, in which the collection can now be exhibited to
the utmost advantage, without any break in its continuity, a
point of great importance in a collection intended to trace the
works of man from the Palseolithic age to a time comparatively
recent.

The Council now propose to add to the general account the
Lodge account, hitherto kept separate. The balance which
still exists on this account amounts to £650 2s. 3d., but as the
last year’s account disclosed a balance in hand of £430 2s. 4d.,
the actual debt on the present year’s account as shewn in the
Treasurer’s balance sheet, after deducting the deficit of £198
10s. 7d. on the present year’s account, will be £418 10s. 6d.
When the Members are reminded that this debt is the result
of the alterations referred to, and of the extra-ordinary outlay
which the Society incurred a few years ago in providing the
present Lodge, which is so great an ornament to our grounds
and to the quarter of the City in which it stands, they vill
concm* with the Council, whilst regretting the existence of any
debt on the annual balance sheet, that such debt was unavoid¬
able under the circumstances.

There are also other items of expenditime which will be more
particularly stated in the Treasurer’s Account to be annexed
to the Eeport. A sum of upwards of £30 has been expended
in a new boiler to the Grreenhouse, and £54 11s. 6d., and
£15 6s. Od., have been respectively paid for objects of antiquity,
and for asphalting the Walks of the Museum. The Marygate
Tower has also been repamed at a cost of £39 2s. 4d.

COUNCIL FOR 1877.

9

The Antiquarian Department has received some important
additions during the past year, the chief of which is the very
interesting tomb of Julia Fortunata, wife of (M) Yerecundius
Diogenes, which was discovered by the excavators of the new
Railway buildings in the month of March. It is a remarkable
circumstance that the monument of her husband was found at
the same place exactly three centuries ago. M. Yerecundius
Diogenes prepared his own tomb, and it may perhaps be
inferred from the absence of any age upon the coffin of the
lady, and from the peculiar wording of the inscription, that
he made ready the memorial of his wife during her life¬
time. The epitaph discloses the fact that she was a native of
Sardinia, and the bones in the tomb, which were in a good
state of preservation, proved her to have been a tall and
masculine person.

The formation of a new road across Scarcroft yielded in the
month of May several curiosities, and a fragment of a votive
inscription. Other excavations in the same neighbourhood
have revealed the interesting fact that the Roman road to
Tadcaster did not run through Micklegate Bar, as has been
stated by various antiquaries, but a little to the north of it ;
indeed it seems evident that it did not strike the modern high¬
road at all on this side of the Yillage of Dringhouses. It is
the intention of the Curator to prepare a map in which the
recent discoveries on the Micklegate side of the Ouse will be
carefully laid down.

The excavations at the new Railway Station have yielded to
the Museum an impression of the body of a female, in gypsum,
which is remarkably perfect, and a very fine stone coffin, the
largest that the Society possesses, eight feet in length, and
proportionately thick. This has been placed in the row of
Roman tombs in the Hospitium, and in it has been carefully
laid the gypsum in which the body was enveloped.

In the new Ethnological room the large collection of flint
and stone implements which the Society possesses has been
arranged, and Dr. Gibson has very kindly fastened the
specimens to the boards on which they are exhibited.

Considerable progress has also been made in bringing

B

10

REPORT OF THE

together a collection of Pottery of a comjDaratively recent date,
the work of the Northern manufacturers.

The Coin cabinet has received a somewhat important addition
through the kind bequest, by Miss Widdowson, of the collection
of her late uncle, Mr. James Cook. It contains a large number
of Poman and English coins, some of which supply deficiencies
in our cabinet. During the year the modern English tokens
and the foreign coins have been classified and catalogued by
Mr. Norcliffe, who has kindly added to them a number of his
own.

In the course of the past year the Society has had an
opportunity of acquiring, by purchase, two small collections of
antiquities wdiich had been found in York, chiefiy derived from
the recent excavations at the Eailway. It is much to be desired
that other collectors would grant to the Society the same
privilege. Apart from the city in which they are found, such
objects possess a very trifiing interest, their chief value is
in combination and comparison with others, and this can
only be tested in a large public collection such as that in
our Museum. It is only a few years since the position of
Ebui’acum as the chief city in Britain was questioned on
account of the paucity of memorials of the Pomans in our
Museum, which were all the while in existence in private
collections. This needless slur has been, to a great extent, taken
away, but it would disappear entirely if amatem’s would permit
us to acquire from their museums objects found at York of which
we have at present no types, and they would shew the Society
equal consideration if they refrained from standing in its way
by purchasing objects which ought to be secured for our collec¬
tion as soon as they are discovered.

The Honorary Curator of Geology reports that the re¬
arrangement of the Yorkshire Geological room is nearly
completed ; the Lias is being arranged in the following
zones: — Ammonites Jiirensis^ A. Communis, A. Serpentinus,
A. Annulatus, A. Spinatus, A. Margaritatus, A. Capricornus,
A. Jamesoni, A. Oxynotus, A. JBucklandi, A. AnguJatus, A.
Flanorhis, so as to correspond with the tables in Tate and

COUNCIL roR. 1877.

11

Blake’s Yorkskire Lias; next follow tlie Blisetic, Triassic,
Permian, Coal measures, Millstone Grit series and Carbon¬
iferous Limestone. Tbe collection is very deficient in good
specimens from the last named formation.

The Yorkshire collection has been enriched by the donations
of our Honorary Member, W. H. Hudleston, Esq., of a fine
specimen of Ammonites Berry from the Upper Calcareous
Grit of Kirkdale, and of Araucaria HucUestoni from the Coral¬
line Oolite of Malton. He has also given a very fine slab of
Trigonia elavellata from the Coralline Oolite of Weymouth,
which is useful for comparison with the slabs of Trigonia perlata
in our Yorkshire collection.

The general collection has been increased by the presenta¬
tion of a series of Eossils from the Sponge Gravel Beds
near Farringdon, belonging to the Lower Green Sand, by
Mr. Whitwell, of Holgate, and a series of Photographs of
sponges from E. Davey, Esq., Wantage, Berks. Miss H. M.
Crompton has given a fine Eish from the Eocene Beds of
Monte Bolca ; J. E. Walker, Esq., a large specimen of
Ammonites sjnnatus from South Petherton ; and the Honorary
Curator a Cast of a molar tooth of Mastodon Borsoni from the
Bed Crag, Suffolk.

The Curator of Ornithology reports the addition of the
White Spoonbill (Platalia leucorodia) , to the Pudston collection,
which he purchased, having been taken by Anthony Savage in
the decoy at Hornby Castle, 1865. He has also to report the
captm’e of two specimens of the large Bittern (Ardea stellaris),
one killed by Col. Napier at Buttercrambe Moor, on Jan. 10,
1877, which proved to be a female, and another shot at Moss,
below Askern, Jan. 9, 1877, by Mr. Hindle, Surgeon, of the
latter place, and now in the possession of Mr. Yarborough,
Camps Mount. It is remarkable that they were killed on two
consecutive days, 20 miles apart. Also a specimen of Honey
Buzzard, killed at ICilburn, and a Sea Eagle, on Thornton
Moor, Northumberland. A Woodcock’s nest was found on
Wass Banks, April 20, 1877, on bare ground, composed of a
few straws and dried leaves. The Curator has also to record an

12

REPORT OF THE

interesting race between a Continental express train and a
carrier pigeon from Dover to London. The bird was tossed
from a carriage window as the train left the Admiralty Pier.
The train got np speed of 60 miles an hoim and proceeded to
Cannon Street without stopping. The pigeon was “housed”
in a building in Cannon Street. It took the direct route
probably, saving about half-a-mile in the whole distance of
76 J miles, and beat the train by 20 minutes or time allowance
of 18 miles.

Two specimens of the Hoopoe (Upupa epops), one at Summer
Lodge, Eichmond, and the other at Tockwith, have been killed
during the year ; and a white Starling at Holtby.

The Curator of Comparative Anatomy reports that though a
large amount of valuable material which had not previously
been shewn to the public has been placed in the cases for
exhibition, much still remains to be dealt with.

The skeleton of the Irish Elk, one of the most valuable
specimens in the collection, the mounting of which was cum¬
brous and unsatisfactory, is now nearly completely remounted
in a most satisfactory manner. It will be placed in the centre
of the new Ethnological gallery in close proximity to the Flint
implements and other remains of pre-historic man vdth which
it was contemporary. The rest of the collection is now in
process of re-arrangement, with a view to the incorporation of
the still available material and the more effective display of the
whole.

Mr. Wakefield reports: — The past year will be remembered
as being remarkable for barometric disturbances, great winds,
and an excessive rainfall, although the results are almost the
exact means of the observations of half a century, in regard
to atmospheric pressure and temperatee.

On January 1st a severe storm swept over the country,
striking the southern coasts first and seriously damaging the
Admiralty Pier at Dover, and the Promenade Piers at Brighton
and Eastbourne, but doing little damage in the northern
counties. Two others had been recorded, one, which might be

COUNCIL FOR 1877.

13

termed the great storm of the year, on account of its duration,
occurred on October 14th, the other on November 22nd, equally
severe, and probably extending over a larger area.

The mean height of the mercurial column for the year
corrected to 32° F. and mean sea level was 29 ’8403 inches,
being *0853 inch below a mean, and having a range of 2*022
inches from a minimum of 28*686 inches on November 29th, to
a maximum of 30*708 inches on October 6th. The barometer
fell, however, to 28*600 inches at 6 p.m. on November 11th,
with the wind in the south and a velocity of 40 to 48 miles
per hour. The barometer had been twice below 29 inches in
January, once in March, and five times in November.

METEOEOLOOICAL EEOISTEE, YOEK, 1877.

BAROMETER.

RAIN.

THERMOMETER.

Month.

Highest.

Lowest.

Mean.

Inches.

Days.

Average

Maximum.

Average

Minimum.

Mean Temp.

Highest.

Lowest.

Jan.

30-558

28-760

29-7303

3-27

24

46-45

35-13

40-79

57

30

Feh.

30-157

29-218

29-8038

2-22

22

48-46

35-93

42-19

55

22

Mar.

30-360

28-994

29-7169

2-85

22

46-39

32-35

39-37

54

21

April

30-246

29-111

29-8065

3-37

17

50-13

37*46

43-80

58

30

May

30-378

29-034

29-8845

2-04

15

54-32

40-06

47-19

64

27

June

30-266

29-319

29-9803

1-43

13

67-63

49-13

58-38

78

41

July

30-201

29 022

29-8354

3-13

15

66-55

51-00

58-77

73

42

Aug.

30-111

29-334

29-8163

4-43

21

66-48

51-35

58-91

75

42

Sept.

30-391

29-637

30-0615

3-33

16

60-13

43-97

52-05

67

35

Oct.

30-708

29-246

29-9379

2-92

19

56-00

40-35

48-17

65

27

Nov.

30-366

28-686

29-5673

2-10

17

50-70

37-53

44-12

59

30

Dec.

30-700

29-150

29-9426

2-18

21

44-58

33-71

39-14

52

26

30-708

28-686

29-8403

33-27

222

54-82

40-67

47-74

78

21

The temperature for the year was 47°*74, or *13 above a
mean, the highest point being 78° on June 19th, and the lowest
21° on March 1st. On 51 nights it fell to or stood at 32°. The
following table exhibits the months of excess and defect respec¬
tively.

REPORT OF THE

Excess.

January ....

. . 4-49

February ....

. . 4-39

June .

. . -28

July .

. . -17

October ....

. . -07

November

. . 2-52

December . . .

. . *44

12-36

10-78

12)1-58

Excess for the whole

year *13

Defect.

March . *93

April . 1*90

May . 5-01

August . *39

September . 2‘55

10-78

In London the first week in May showed a deficiency in the
temperature of 8°-8 below the mean of 100 years.

The quantity of rainj snow and hail that had fallen amounted
to 33*27 inches, being 1*75 inch above the rainfall of 1876, and
9*28 inches above the mean of 50 years. Every month had

EAIN FALL, 1877.

Montli.

Total

Depth.

G reate
in 24 J

st Fall
rours.

Days on
which '01 or
more fell.

Malton.

Langton.

Jan.

Inches.

3-27

Depth.

•84

Date.

3

24

Inches.

3-63

Inches.

3-575

Feb.

2-22

•34

25

22

1-95

2-785

Mar.

2-85

■91

30

22

2-85

2-775

April

3-37

•70

22

.

3-33

3-635

May

2-04

•62

17

15

1-79

1-905

June

1-43

•38

12

13

1-62

1-715

July

3-13

•70

14

15

3-36

3-410

1

Aug.

4-43

•81

25

21

4-10

3-590

Sept.

3-33

1-11

15

16

3-10

3-190

Oct.

2-92

•62

23

19

2-44

3-030

Fov.

2 10

•53

21

17

2-31

2 370

Dec.

2-18

•96

30

21

1

2-08

2-490

33-27

1-11

222

1

32-56

34-470

been much above a mean, with the exception of June, which
showed a deficiency of *91 inch [see the following table], and

COUNCIL FOR 1877.

15

as a consequence the rivers had been much above the summer
level nearly the whole year. The mean rainfall for York is
23*99 inches, having a range of 21*96 inches from a minimum
of 17*89 inches in 1850 to a maximum in 1872 of 39*85 inches.

Excess

January . 1-57

February . *75

March . 1’26

April . 1*87

May . *35

July . *70

August . 1*72

September . 1*12

October *50

November . *03

December . *34

10*21

93

Excess for the whole year 9*28

Defect.

June . *91

Mean rainfall for 20 years, ending 31st Dec., 1877 25*458 inches.

10

27*569

j)

a

5

26*006 „

Mean of the three terms

. . 26*344 inches.

showing an

excess of 2 35

inches above

the mean for fifty

years ; during that period
rainfall above 30 inches.

the following

years have had a

Inches.

Days of
rainfall.

Mean daily
rainfall.

1860

.. 30-37

190

*1598 inch.

1876

.. 31*70

194

*1634 „

1877

. . 33*27

222

*1498 „

1848

.. 36*02

192

•1876 „

1872

. . 39*85

216

*1844 „

16

REPORT OF THE

COMPAEATIYE PEEYALENCE OF WINDS.

N.

N.N.E.

N.E.

E.N.E.

E.

E.S.E.

S.E.

S.S.E.

32

6

18

8

24

5

10

8

s.

s.s.w.

s.w.

w.s.w.

w.

W.N.W.

N.W.

N.N.W.

74

23

36

19

41

17

24

20

The following observations made at Langton, Malton, have
been kindly supplied by the Eev. A. Shadwell, M. A.

Eain fall 7*33 inch over average. Eivers above summer
level the whole year. Flood in Derwent January 4th, 11 ft.
2 in. ; April 20th, 8 ft. 2 in. ; September 16th, 8 ft.

Mean height of Barometer, 29*997 corrected for level and
temperature.

WINDS.

S. to W. W. io N. N. to E. E. to S. Calm.

152 93 58 51 11

Thirty-three new Members, six Ladies, and four Associates
have been elected during the past year, whilst twelve Members,
eight Lady Subscribers, and two Associates have been lost to
the Society either by death or resignation during the year.
Amongst those whose names will no longer appear on the
Society’s roll is that of our late honoured Vice-President, the
Eev. J ohn Kenrick.

The Eev. John Kenrick joined the Society on its foundation
in the year 1823, as his name appears in the first list of its
Members published in the year 1824. Over a period of
upwards of fifty years he continued to aid, by his labours and
his experience, the Society of which he had been one of the
first promoters, and so long as the Society lasts, the numerous
papers published in its Transactions, of which he was the author,
on almost every branch of antiquities and antiquarian literatiu’e
will remain an enduring evidence of his profound learning.
Mr. Kenrick not only added renown to the Society by these
labours, but from an early period he took an active part in the
administration of its affairs. In 1824 his name first appears
on the list of the Council, and from that date it has remained

COUNCIL POR 1877.

17

on oiir list as one of its principal executive officers. On tlie
death of his father-in-law, the late Eev. C. "Wellbeloved, he
succeeded to the Curatorship of the Antiquities in this Museum,
with which department his labours were more intimately asso¬
ciated during the last sixteen years of his life. Apart from
this Society the name of Mr. Kenrick was well-known, and
took high rank in the world of literature. In 1850 he pub¬
lished in 2 vols., The History of Antient Egypt under the
Pharaohs;” and in 1855 a History of ‘‘Antient Phoenicia.”
During his long residence in York, Mr. Kenrick was an active
promoter of those Societies founded in our city which have for
their object to promote learning or to alleviate suffering ; and
his loss is deeply mourned. He died at York on May 7th last
in the 90th year of his age. In his will Mr. Kenrick remem¬
bered the Society with which his name had been so intimately
associated, and a bequest contained in it has been the means of
adding to the Society’s Library a valuable series of books, a
list of which will be published in this Peport.

Mr. Thomas Grott, of Knaresbro’, one of the Honorary
Members of the Society, has also died dming the past year.
Mr. Gott will be remembered as a gentleman who took much
interest in our Museum, and, on more than one occasion,
presented to the Antiquarian department several very valuable
objects of Eoman Antiquity.

The following Lectures have been delivered in the Theatre
of the Museum during the past year.

Subject.

Name of Lectueer.

The History of the Potter’s Art ) xi n c(

. ^ . P. W. Eudlee, Esq., P. G. S.

in Eritain . . )

in Britain
The Giant Planets

Wind and Weather .

Second Lecture on do .

Spenser’s Paerie Queen .

New Zealand .

Public Health and Sanitary Laws
The History of the Alphabet . .

E. A. Proctor, Esq., B.A.,
P. E. A. S.

Eev. Arthur Shad well, M.A.
Do.

Eev. George Eowe, M. A.

T, B. Whytehead, Esq.

S. W. North, Esq., P. G. S.
Eev. Isaac Taylor, M.A.

18

REPOET OE THE COUNCIL FOR 1877.

Subject. Name of LecttirePv.

Becent Geological Speculations Peof. Dun’CAN’, P.B.S.

The Galvanic Battery . . B. Botjtledge, Esq., B. Sc.,

E. C. S.

Second Lecture on do . Do.

Jerusalem as it is . Bev. E. Laweence, B. A.

Modern Greece . . . J. W. Baeey, Esq., B. A.

During tlie past year the Council have allowed the use of
the Theatre of the Alusenm for a series of Lectures given
under the auspices of the Cambridge University Extension
Society. It is gratifying to the Council to learn that these
lectures, chiefly on scientiflc subjects, yet embracing others not
within the scope of the Society, have been a great success, and
must be the means of affording to many the opportunity of
acquiring a knowledge of science.

The Council propose for election the following gentlemen,
well known in the scientiflc world, as Honorary Members of
the Society: "William Carruthers, F. B. S., F. L. S., F. G. S.,
British Museum ; Henry Woodward, F. B. S., F. G. S. ; Hemy
Clifton Sorby, F. B. S., F. G.S. ; W. S. Dallas, F.L.S., Secre¬
tary of the Geological Society ; Bobert H. Scott, M. A., F.B.S.,
F. G. S., Director of the Meteorological OflS.ce ; Li C. Miall,
F. G. S., Professor of Biology in the Yorkshire College of
Science, Leeds ; Bobert McLachlan, F. B. S., F. L. S., &c. ;
Bev. T. G. Bonney, M. A., F. S. A., F. C. S., F. G. S., Pro¬
fessor of Geology, University College, London ; Dr. Augustus
Yoelcker, F.B.S., F. C.S., Professor of Chemistry to the Boyal
Agricultiual Society ; H. T. Stainton, F. B. S., F. L. S. ; Sir
Wyville Thompson, F.B.S.

The following Members of Council retire according to the
rules of the Society, and are not eligible for re-election at the
present : Joshua Oldfield, Esq., Mr. Aid. March, Edward Allen,
Esq., and Frederick L. Mawdesley, Esq.

The Council propose the following Members of the Society
as new Members of Council : Mr. Aid. Melrose, Bev. Bobert
Daniel, A. H. Spence, Esq., W. L. Newman, Esq., and Mr.
Barnby in the room of Dr. Gibson, elected a Yice-President.

THE TREASURER IN ACCOUNT WITH

THE YOEKSHIRE PHILOSOPHICAL SOCIETY

FOR THE YEAR 1877.

INCOME.

1877. £. s. d. £.

Annual Subscriptions, ^c, :

Members . 690 0 0

Lady Subscribers . 70 1 0

Associates . 18 0 0

Arrears . 6 0 0

- 784

Admission Fees of New Members :

Paid in Full . 15 0 0

Paid by Instalments .... 59 0 0

- 74

Keys of the Gates . 48

Temporary Subscribers . 3

Rents :

New Manor Shore Pro¬
perty . 14 16 3

St. Mary’s Lodge . 54 6 3

Cottages in Marygate . . 13 15 4

Boat Yard . 5 0 0

Water Works Co. (9 years) 0 9 0

- 88

Gate Money . 295

Swimming Bath . 40

Sale of Guide to Antiquities, &c . 16

Use of Tent . 10

Sale of Duplicate Antiquarian Speci¬
mens . 6

Donation from W. Atkinson, Esq. . . 5

Widdowson, Miss, Executors of the

late . 15

Proceeds at Whitsuntide . 1

s. d.

1 0

0 0
15 0
0 0

6 10
11 3
0 0
11 0
5 0

0 0
0 0

7 0
19 9

1388 16 10

Excess of Expenditure, 31st Dec.,

1877 . 198 10 7

Permanent Debt:

Yorkshire Insurance

Company . 1900 0 0

Due to Two Members,

£50 each . 100 0 0

- 2000 0 0

Balance in Treasurer's
hands, Slst Dec., 1876 430 2 4
Less Excess of Expendi¬
ture, 31st Dec., 1877 .. 198 10 7

- 231 11 9

Balance due to the Treasurer, 31st
Dec., 1877 . 418 10 6

£2650 2 3

EXPENDITUKE. <Er*

1877. £. s. d.

Crown Rent . 1 0 0

Corporation do . 19 15 0

Water do . 8 9 6

Rates and Taxes . 15 16 1

Insurance . 5 13 0

Fine Arts Committee (pro¬
portion of Rent) . 21 7 3

Salaries and. Wages:

C. Wakefield . 140 0 0

H. Baines (Pension). .. . 100 0 0
J. Davison (Do.) .... 26 0 0

J. Fielden . 70 4 0

Lodge Keeper . 46 16 0

Attendant, Museum .... 46 16 0
Do., Hospitium.. 16 18 0
Gardeners . 126 0 0

Interest to Insurance Company ....
Interest and Commission to Bankers

General Expenses and Repairs :

Museum . 67 13 li

Estate . 30 5 1

St. Mary’s Lodge . 13 7 0

Marygate Tower . 39 2 4

New Roof and Cases for
Ethnological Room . . 335 14 8

Gardens, Greenhouses, S^'c.:
General Expenses and

Repairs . 29 16 0

Seeds, &c . 4 8 6

Coals and Coke . 11 14 1

Asphalting Walks . 15 6 0

New Boiler in Green¬
house (2nd Account) 30 3 11

Purchase & Preparation of Specimens

Library: Books and Binding .

Swimming Bath .

£. s. d.

72 0 10

572 14 0
75 1 0
10 16 4

480 3 0

91 8 6

7 17 2
26 17 11

8 17 1

Miscellaneous Expenses :
Printing of Report, Com¬
munications, and List

of Members . 34 4 6

Printing, Stationery, &c. 9 15 7

Coals and Gas . 41 7 2

Expenses of Lectures . . 64 17 5
Do. Bands .... 10 5 1

Do. Hospitium . 19 14 8

Do. Roman

Antiquities .... 54 11 6
Postages and Bridge . . 0 15 8

- 235 11 7

£1587 7 5

Permanent Debt:

Yorkshire Insurance

Company . 1900 0 0

Due to Two Members,

£50 each . 100 0 0

- 2000 0 0

Deficiency on the Entrance Lodge
Improvement Account, now closed 650 2 3

£2650 2 3

Audited and found correct, 2ud March, 1878,

F. L. MAWDESLEY.

W. GRAY,

Treasurer,

20

LIST OF SUBSCEIBEES

TO THE

ENTEANCE LODGE IMPEOVEMENT FUND.

£. s. d.

His Grace the Archbishop of York, President of the Society 25 0 0
Aldam, W., Frickley Hall .. .. .. .. 500

Anonymous .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 500

Barber, J. S., Oshaldwick Cottage .. .. .. .. 200

Bell, W. H. . . . . . . . . . . . . . , 5, 0 0

Bleasdale, G. . . . . . . . . , . , . . . 5 0 0

Cattley, T., Brandshy .. .. .. .. .. .. 300

Colburn, J,, the late .. .. .. .. .. .. 550

Cowling, H. . . . . . . . . . . . . ,.10100

Cussons, G. . . . . . , . . . . . . . . 2 0 0

Dayies, P., the late . . . . . . . . . . ..10100

Buncombe, the Hon. and Very Eev. Br. . . . . . . 10 0 0

Ellis, T. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 105 0 0

Ford, J., the late .. .. .. .. .. . . 10 10 0

Gowland, W. T. . . . . . . . , . . . . 2 2 0

Gray, AYm. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25 0 0

Harcourt, E. V., Whit well Hall .. .. .. .. 2500

Hey, the Ven. Archdeacon .. .. .. .. .. 500

Hoggard, J., the late .. .. .. .. .. 220

Johnson, E. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 0 0

Jones, G. F. . . . . . . . . . . .... 10 0 0

Kenrick, Eev. J., the late .. .. .. .. .. 500

Leeman, G., M. P. . . . . . . . . . . . . 25 0 0

Lloyd, Miss Ann, Stockton Hall . . . . . . . . 5 0 0

Lowther, J., M. P., Swillington . . . . . . , . 25 0 0

March, J. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 0 0

Matthews, P. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 0 0

Mills, J. E . 10 0 0

Millward, C. A. . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 2 0

Munby, J., the late . . . . . . . . . . ..10100

Noble, T. S . 10 10 0

Norcliffe, Mrs. .. .. .. .. .. .. ..1000

Oldfield, G., Bringthorpe . 2000

Oldfield, J. . . . . . . . . . . . . . , 25 0 0

Padel, C. G . 110

Peckitt, H., Carlton Husthwaite . . . . . . , . 5 0 0

Pearson, E. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 0 0

Carried forward

£447 2 0

21

£. s.

Brought forward . , . . 447 2

Prescott, K. . . . . . . . 5 0

Procter, W., M. D. . , . . . . . . . . . , 5 0

Read, W. H. Rudston . . . . . . . . . . 10 10

Reed, W. . . . . . . . . . , . . . . 10 10

Richardson, H. .. .. .. .. .. 10 0

Richardson, W. B. .. .. .. .. .. .. 10 10

Robinson, Rev. J. . . . . . . . . . . . , 5 0

Roper, J., the late . . . . . . . . . . . . 25 0

Smithson, E. W. . . . . . . . . . . . . 20 0

Sotheran, H. . , . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 0

Sotheran, W. . . . . . . . . . . . . ..10 10

Spence, A. H. . . . . . . . . . , . . . . 5 5

Steward, H., the late, Bishopthorpe . . . . . . 5 5

Smith, Rev. G. Vance . . . . . . . . . . 2 2

Swann, Clough, and Co. .. .. .. ..210

Terry, J. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. . . 10 10

Thomas, W., the late . . . . . . . . . . . . 11

Walker, J. F. .. ., .. .. ., .. ,. 10 10

Walker, W . 25 0

Weatherley, Ralph . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 0

Whitehead, G. . . . . . . . . . . . . ..100

Whytehead, W. . . . . . . . . . . ..10 10

Wilkinson, J. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 10

Wolstenholme, G. . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 2

Varvill, R. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10

Woodd, B. T., M. P., Conyngham Hall . . . . . . 5 0

d.

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

Total £688 17 0

22

STATEMENT OF EXPENDITUEE

ON ACCOrNT OF THE

ENTEANCE LODGE IMPEOYEMENT FUND,

31st DECEMBER, 1877.

£. s. d.
. 11 4 6

. 62 17 6
.916 6 6
. 188 16 11
. 63 8 10

. 36 19 0

. 74 6 0

1353 19 3

Total Amount of Subscriptions to tlie Improvement Famd
(see page 21) .. .. .. .. 688 17 0

Sale of Temporary Lodge . 15 0 0

- — 703 17 0

650 2 3

Balance in Treasurer’s Hands, 31st Dec., 1877 .. .. 231 11 9

Total Liabilities of tbe Society, 31st Dec., 1877 (independent

of tbe Permanent Debt) .. £418 10 6

Preliminary Expenses
Cost of Temporary Lodge
Cost of Building New Lodge . .
Cost of Gates, Palisades and Lamps
Cost of Laying out tbe Approaches
Cost of Concreting tbe "Walk
Architect’s Charges . . . .

W. GRAY,

Treasurer.

Audited and found correct

2nd March, 1878,

F. L. MAWDESLEY.

23

MEMBEES ELECTED IN 1877.

Atkinson, Albany, 22, Bootham Terrace.

Barry, John Warren, Heivorth Hall.

Bass, Joseph, 34, Parliament Street.

Bollans, Eobert Henry, 14, High Peter gate.
Brown, Eleanor, 49, Monkgate.

Champ ernowne, Oapt., E. E., Lord Mayor's Walk.
Coke, Capt., Militia De^ot.

Croft, Michael, Lendal.

Fletcher, Allen, 6, Lord Mayor's Walk.

Goadby, Edwin, 16, Bootham.

Gray, Alan, Minster Yard.

Grayston, Elton, Coney Street.

Grimwood, Charles, 20, Coney Street.

Hodgson, Mrs., Stonegate.

Hood, William, Castlegate.

Honlden, William, Union Terrace.

Jubb, William, 9, Micklegate.

Lewis, William, Stonegate.

Marchant, Eobert, Petergate.

Mawson, Miss, 3, St. Many's.

North, Arthur William, Union Bank.

Peart, Joseph, 41, The Mount.

Proctor, John William, 23, St. Paul's Square.
PiTidames, Samuel, Low Ousegate.

Eichardson, Mrs., Bootham.

Eussell, William James, Heworth.

Smith, Charles, High Ousegate.

Stamp, Thomas, Marygate.

Taylor, John, Coney Street.

Wade, Mrs., 31, Bootham.

Walker, Charles, Marygate.

Wilberforce, Eev. W. F., St. Oswald's Terrace.
Wilkinson, Edward Towler, Micklegate.

24

LADY SUBSCRIBERS ADMITTED IN 1877.

Child, Miss, Trinity Lane.

Edward, Mrs., 9, Marhliam Street.

Fowle, Mrs., Clifton.

HajTies, Mrs., 37, St. Marfs.

Eougier, Miss, 1, South Parade.

Walker, Miss, 20, St. Mary's.

ASSOCIATES.

i

Denison, George, St. Leonard's Place.

Leeds, Charles Edward, 24, Portland Street.
Hutchinson, William Hilton, Bootham.
Haven, Yincent, Past Mount Road.

RESOLUTIONS

PASSED AT THE ANNUAL MEETING, FEBEUAKY Sin, 1878.

♦

- 0 -

1. That the Eeport of the Council now read be adopted and
printed for circulation amongst the Members, Lady Subscribers,
and Associates of the Society.

2. That the thanks of the Society be given to the Members of
Council retiring from office, also to the Treasurer, Secretary, and
Curators for their valuable services ; and that authority be given
to the Council to give admission to the Public to the Museum on
Whit-Monday and Tuesday, under the same regulations as last
year.

3. That the thanks of the Meeting be given to the Chairman.

DONATIONS TO THE MUSEUM.

GEOLOGY AND MINEEALOGY.

Crompton, Miss Henrietta
M .

Specimens of Fossils and Minerals.

Clayton, Capt . Fossils from the Gault, East Wear

Bay, Folkestone.

Ed son, Mr. G . Six Fossils from Brandsby and North

Grimston.

Gibson, Hr . Bones of the Moas, from New Zealand.

Hudleston, Mr. W. H., Araucarites Hudlestoniy from the Coral-

London . j line Oolite, Malton.

Ammonites Berryeri, from the Upper
Calcareous Grit, Kirkdale Cutting.
Slab of Trigonia clavellata, from the
Trigonia beds of the Corallian
Series, Weymouth.

Uawrence, Bev. F . Fragment of Stalagmite, from Ephesus.

Percival, Mr. S. G . Polished Section of Cyathophyllum

regium, from the Yorkshire Coast.

Paine, Pev. Canon . Specimens from the Coal Measures of

Durham.

Coral, from Nunnington.

Peed, Mr. W . Cast of Molar of Trilophodont Masto¬

don f Mastodon BorsoniJ.

Walker, Mr. J. F . Ammonites spinatus, from the Middle

Lias, South Petherton.

Whitwell, Mr. W . Specimensof Sponges, from Faringdon.

AViddowson, Miss, The \ A Collection of Precious Stones, and
Executors of the late . . j Polished Stones from the Yorkshire

Coast.

ZOOLOGY.

Crompton, Miss Henrietta )
M .

j Spe

cimens of Shells.

Eaine, Eev. Canon .

Bead, Mr. W. H. Eudston

Walker, Mr. J. F .

Walker, Mr. T .

A Longicorn Beetle ( MotiocJiammus
dentatorj.

A Spoonbill f Platcilea leucorodiaJ,W]lQdi
by Anthony Savage, Gramekeeper
to the Duke of Leeds, on the
Hornby Decoy, near Bedale, 1865.

Two Colorado Beetles.

Albino specimen of the Book.

Do. Blackbird.

- 0

ANTIQUITIES.

Acton, Mr. Gr . Pieces of Stained Glass, with some

recipes for making it, by Peckitt,
the York Glass Stainer.

Dixon, Mr. W . A Sword, temp. Geo. III.

Eccles, Mr . A Glass Bottle, 18th saec.

Edson, Mr. Geo . Part of a Boman Urn, from Malton.

Gibson, Dr . Two Armorial Seals, 18th saec.

Healy, Bev. E., Cowman- ) A series of Casts Aom the Poniatowski
thor^e . . . j Gems.

Jones, Mr . Piece of Carved Oak Screen- work,

from Old Belfrey Church.

Morrell, Mr. W. W . Eight Silver Coins of Elizabeth,

James I., and Charles I.

Nelson, Mr. E . Part of a large Jet Hair-pin.

N. E. Bailway, Directors of Inscribed Coffin of Julia Eortunata.

Stone Coffin, with Cast of Bod}*.
Perfect Cast of Woman, from a coffin.
Two J et Pins.

Cinerary Urn, Glass Vessel, and Cup
inscribed dami.

Newton, Bobinson, and ) Three broken Mediaeval Vessels.

Brown, Messrs . ) Two fragments of Saxon Combs.

A Spindle-whorl of bone.

27

Norcliffe, Eev. C. B . Many foreign Coins, in Silver and

Copper.

Impression of Great Seals of Charles
II., George III., and William IV.

Eeed, Mr. W . Stone Axe, from Mornington, New

Zealand.

Seller, Mr. G . Old Key, found in Fossgate.

Smith, Mr. W . Lower Maxillary of Human Skull.

The Dean and Chapter of ^ Several Carved Stones of Norman

A^ork . ) work, taken out of the Old Library

of York Minster.

An early English Capital from the
South Transept.

Walker, Mr. J. F . Knife Handle of wood, from Cam¬

bridge.

Widdowson, Miss, The ^ A collection of Coins made by the
Executors of the late . . ) late Mr. Jas. Cook.

A Eoman Gold King.

Wilson, Mr. D . Skull of ^os longifrons, found in King’s

Square.

Wolstenholme, Mr. C. D. Mediaeval Tyg, from Plymouth.

0-

MISCELLANEOUS.

Wood, Mr. W.

Specimen of Cloth from the bark of
the Paper Mulberry.

Plait and Shaving from the bark of
the Cocoa Nut.

— — -0 -

LIBEAEY.

Anne, Mr. Geo., Burgh- The Astronomical M.S. S. of the late

wallis Hall . ) Edward Pigott.

Association, British, for the ^

Advancement of Science j

Association, Geologists’ . . Proceedings, vol. v., Nos, 1 and 2,

28

Author, The . On the Artesian Well at St. Clement’s,

Oxford, by J. Prestwich, M. A.,

P. E. S.

Author, The . Das Innere der Vancouver — Insel, von

Eobert Brown.

Authors, The . On the Corrallian Eocks of England,

by Eev. J. E. Blake, M. A., E. Gi. S.,
and W. H. Hudleston, Esq., M. A.,

E.O.S.

Club, Tyneside Naturalists’ 1 Natiu’al History Transactions of

Eield . j Northumberland and Durham, vol.

V., pt. 3.

Club, Warwickshire Eield
Davey, Mr .

India, Geological Survey of

Institution, Eoyal, of Great
Britain .

Proceedings for 1876.

Photographs of Sponges from Earing-
don.

Palseontologia Indica, series x., pt. 2,
and series xi., pts. 1, 2.

Memoirs of do., vol. xii., pts. 1, 2, and
vol. xiii., pts. 1, 2.

Eecords of do., vol. ix., pts. 2 — 4, and
vol. X., pts. 1, 2.

Proceedings, Nos. 64, 65.

Institution, Smithsonian.. Eeport for 1875.

Geological Survey of the Territories,
vol. 2. (E. D. Cope’s Cretaceous

Vertebrata).

Kenrick, Mrs . Thesaurus numismatum Imperatorum

Morellianus, 5 vols., fob

Imperium Orientate Banduri, 2 vols.,
fol.

Glossarium ad Scriptores mediae et
infimae Latinitatis, Du Cange,
6 vols., fol.

Glossarium novum ad Scriptores medii
aevi, Carpentier, 4 vols., fol.

Orellii Inscriptiones, 3 vols., 8vo.

Inscriptiones anticj^uae totius orbis
Eomani Gruteri, 4 vols., fol.

Eecueil de Medailles de Eois, 9 vols.,
4to,

29

Kenrick, Mrs,

Publiskers, The .

Eead, Mr. W. H. Eudston

Society, Chemical .

Society, Geological .

Society, Hull Literary and

Philosophical .

Society, Leeds Literary and

Philosophical .

Society, Leicester Literary
and Philosophical ....
Society, Meteorological . .

Eecueil de Monumens Antiques, par
Grivaud de la Yincelle, 4to.

Eecueil d’Antiquites Egyptiennes,
Etrusques, Grecques et Eomaines,
7 vols., 4to.

The Coinage of England, by T.
Snelling, 4to.

Aqum Solis, or Notices of Eoman
Bath, by Eev. H. M. Scarth, 4to.
The Yorkshire Library, by W. Boyne,
4to.

Nature (Journal) for 1877.

Journal of the Linnean Society :
Zoology, Nos. 66 — 73.

Botany, Nos. 87 — 92.

Journal for 1877.

Journal, Nos. 129 — 131.

Eeport for 1876 — 77.

Eeport for 1876 — 77.

)

i

Eeport for 1876.

Meteorological Data for the nine 10°
Squares, Lat. 20° N. to 10° S. Long,

10° to 40° W.

Society, Eoyal, of Edin¬
burgh .

Society, Warwickshire
Natural History and

Archaeological .

Society, Zoological .

Quarterly Weather Eeport, pts. 3, 4,
1874.

Eeport of the Permanent Committee
of the First International Congress
at Vienna, Meeting at London,
1876.

Eeport of Meteorological Committee
of the Eoyal Society.

Transactions, vol. xxvii., pt. 4.

Proceedings, Session 1875 — 76.

Eeport, 1876.

Transactions, vol. ix., pts. 10, 11, and
vol. X., pts. 1, 2.

30

SERIAL WORKS SUBSCRIBED EOR.

Corpus Inscrip tionum Latinarum (4 vols. with Atlas of Plates and
Supplement pubKshed).

Birds of Asia, by John Gould, P. P. S.

Natural History of the Tineina, by H. T. Stainton, F. P. S.

(13 vols. published).

Nautical Almanack.

Proceedings of the Zoological Society, with Illustrations.
Publications of the Paleeontographical Society (30 vols. published).
Publications of the Pay Society.

Sowerby’s Thesaurus Conchyliorum, col. plates (32 parts published).
London, Edinburgh, and Dublin Philosophical Magazine.

Annals and Magazine of Natural History.

Geological Magazine.

Journal of the British Archaeological Association.

Numismatic Chronicle.

Memoires de la Societe Paleontologique Suisse.

D’Orbigny’s Paleontologie Francaise.

COMMUNICATIONS

TO THE

MONTHLY MEETINGS

OF THE

YOEKSHIEE PHILOSOPHICAL SOCIETY,

1877.

April 3rd. — Dr. Procter read the following paper on the
Composition of some of the Coloims used by the Eomans : —
Almost all the knowledge which the Eomans had of coloims for
decoration is to he derived from Pliny’s Natural History, which
is in truth a vast encyclopsedia of ancient knowledge and belief
upon every known scientific subject, with quotations from
between four and five hundred authors.

In the portion of that work devoted to mineralogy, including
mineral coloui’s, Pliny cites thirty-six authors. Of these, I
believe, only the writings of Vitruvius, and the meagre treatise
of Theophrastus, written 300 b.c. are now extant.

It is, therefore, a matter of interest to translate the substances
which he describes into their modern names, or, in other words,
to identify them. But the manner in which he has collected,
and especially grouped together the mass of matter, has caused
it to lose a great portion of its value from the mixture of fable
and truth he has written, as well as from the difficulty, in
some cases impossibility, of discovering exactly the special
object of which he is speaking. This arises mainly from the
absence of the relation of essential characters or a mention of
them in detail. The description of natm’al objects is most
scanty and imperfect, although it is true that if he had
given minutely the characters of every object, he would have
swelled his book to a most enormous size ; nevertheless a
deficiency of this kind increases the difficulty of recognising

32

some substances, regarding which he sets down only the most
apparent, and often unimportant characters, as colour, weight,
locality, &c.

For the origin of the pigments employed by the Eomans in
decoration, we must, in a great measure, look to the Grreeks.
The pictures of the great Grreek Masters are entirely lost. They
disappeared dm’ing the wars waged by the Eomans with the
successors of Alexander, and the later Grreek republics. The
subjects of many of these pictures are described by Pliny and
other classical authors, and some idea of the manner and style
of the Greek artists may, I presume, be gained from the
designs of the so-called Etruscan vases which were executed
by the artists of Magna Grecia, and some of which are probably
copies of celebrated works or portions of them ; whilst some
faint notion of their execution and colouring may be gained
from the paintings in fresco found at Herculaneum and
Pompeii. It may truly be said that these paintings are not
of Greek execution, yet we are certain at the period when
Eome was the metropolis of the world, that the fine arts were
cultivated in that city almost entirely by Greek artists, or at
least by artists of the Greek school. Pliny is difiuse on this
subject in book xxxv., and by comparing his descriptions
with those of Vitruvius and Theophrastus, it will be found that
the same materials for colouring were used at Eome and
Athens. Pliny mentions thirty great painters, whose works
w^ere known to the Eomans, of these only tw-o are expressly
mentioned as being born in Italy, and the remainder w^ere
Greeks.

Whatever may be theii* origin w^e do know that the coloui’s
used by the Eomans were brilliant, and the contrasts of the
frescoes strong, and those competent to form an opinion consider
them to be of much excellence, and in fact the minor ornaments
have led to the foundation of the Arabesque style, largely used
for docoration in modern times. But there is another point of
riew besides that of art proper, from w'hich they may be view'ed
by affording information with respect to the nature and chemical
composition of the colours used by these ancient artists, and it
is that which I propose to consider.

33

I had lately given to me small portions of several colours on
walls from Pompeii. These with some similar portions obtained
from a Eoman Yilla, at Collingham, excavated some years ago,
have been made the subject of experiment.

The colours were — yellows, greens, reds, and a rose colour.

The yellows were three in number, and I found No. 1 to be
a yellov/ ferruginous earth with clay. No. 2 was Limonite,
mixed with gypsum. No. 3 was a yellow mixed with chalk.

It is in the first place proper to mention that the word Ochre
is applied in mineralogy to any product of decomposed ores, as
Cobalt ore, &c., but in ordinary and popular language, and with¬
out definite accuracy, it is applied to any combination or mixture
of the earths with iron which can be used for pigments and the
like. Hence, as the colour is light or dark, we have yellow,
red, and brown ochres. They are produced by the disintegra¬
tion of iron ores, and notably of the Hematite forming the red,
and of Limonite, or the hydrated oxide of iron, giving rise to the
formation of the lighter ochres, the tint being moreover varied
by admixture in different quantities with light coloured earths.
The admixture of them, I found, with clay, chalk or gyp¬
sum, admits of a probable explanation, by reference to Pliny
who tells us that certain colours were mixed with other sub¬
stances to render them lighter, and thus obtain various tints,
whilst other colours required an under coating, or some prepara¬
tion of the surface for their reception. This latter statement
may account for the presence of gypsum in No. 2, assuming
that it did not happen to be an ingredient of that particular ore
from whence the colour was obtained.

Pliny describes numerous colours under different names, all
of which appear to be those which we should now call ochres.
‘‘ Sinopis, the author writes, was discovered in Pontus, and
hence its name from the city of Sinope. It is produced also
in Egypt, and the Balearic isles, but the be^t is found in
Lemnos and Cappadocia, being extracted from quarries there.
In the native mass it has its own proper colour within, but is
spotted on the exterior, the antients made use of it for tone.’’
Pliny here uses in the original the word splendor ” supposed
by ’W’ornum to be the equivalent of our word tone, which

E

compreliends both the tone and harmony of the Greeks. Our
author then continues, — ‘‘ There are three kinds of Sinopis, the
pale, the red, and the intermediate. It is used both with the
brush and for colouring wood. That which is of the deepest
red is used for colouring partitions. The Sinopis known as the
dull (jjressior) is tawny, and is used principally for the lowest
partitions.”

Then he speaks of Rubrica, which is either red ochre or oxide
of iron, as a better kind of Sinopis, highly esteemed, and only
sold in sealed vessels, hence called Sphragis, and as being used
to adulterate or give an under coating to minium, which is
probably a vermillion, and that it is found in Eg}"pt and
Arabia in iron mines. Another variety he describes thus — “ It

is from Rubrica that ochrea is prepared. The Rubrica being

%

buimt in new earthern pots, well luted with clay, and is very
useful for plasters by reason of its desiccative properties.”

Other varieties he describes under the term sil, which w'ere
in all probability ochres.

Thus then there can be no doubt that these various forms
of ochre were used by the Romans as yellow, brown, or red
pigments variously modified in their tints or shades by admix¬
ture with neutral substances, as we employ those minerals in
the present day.

The green colours which I examined were two in number.

No. 1 was composed of the protoxide and a little peroxide of
iron, silica, lime, alumina, and carbonic acid.

This appears to be an exception to the usual ancient green
pigments, which generally contain copper, whilst in this
substance none is present. It is a carbonate of protoxide of
iron or ferrous carbonate, with chalk, alumina, silica and a
little ferric oxide. The only substance that I can find given by
Pliny, agreeing with it occurs in this passage. “ There are
also two colours of very inferior quality wRich have been
recently discovered. One of these is knowm as Appianum, a
fair imitation of Chrysocolla. This colour is prepared from a
green chalk.” This passage is readily understood as we are
acquainted with several minerals of a green colour wliich ow^e
that colour to ferrous compounds.

The green colour, No. 2, is a much altered substance
containing copper, and is probably the Chrysocolla of Theo¬
phrastus, Yitruvius, and Pliny. The mineral which we now
term Chrysocolla, is a hydrated silicate of copper, whilst that of
the ancients there is every reason to believe was the carbonate
(Malachite). This will be seen from Pliny’s description,
bearing in mind that copper is often found mineralised with
gold, silver, and lead. “ Chrysocolla is a liquid wdiich is
formed in the shafts flowing through veins of gold, a kind of
slime which becomes indurated by the cold of winter until it
has attained the hardness even of pumice. The most esteemed
kind is found in copper mines. He then describes how an
artiflcial Chrysocolla may be manufactured by allowing water
to percolate through a vein of the metal, and allowing the
former to evaporate.”

Of the two reds which were examined, one was a dull red
ochre, its colour being derived from ferric oxide. Several red
earths used in painting are described by Theophrastus and
Pliny as the Sinnian earth, the Armenian earth (Bole) and
African ochre which had its red colour produced by calcination.

The other red was a compound of lead and probably minium.
The red lead oxide was known to the Grreeks under the name

sandarake.”

In parts of Pliny’s descriptions there is some confusion
between minium and cinnabar. He says that sandarach w^as
a product of an island in the Eed Sea, then he tells us ‘‘ that
there is a sprmous kind prepared by calcining cerusse in the
furnace,” and that this was discovered accidentally by means
of a Are at the Piroeus at Athens. Some cerusse i.e. wfliite lead
which had been exposed to the Are was found converted into
minium, and afterwards the process was imitated artificially. He
likewise describes another colour Sandyx, and which Beckman,
from a passage in Yirgil, considers it to be our madder, Pliny
also remarks that Yirgil has taken Sandyx to be a plant. But
the naturalist’s description shows that this could not be true,
for according to him it is prepared by calcining equal propor¬
tions of rubrica and sandarach, and the only effect of this
operation would be to alter the tint of the pigment, and to give
it a more crimson hue.

36

From Sandyx and Sinopis, another colour, Syricnm, is
prepared, which Pliny says is used to adulterate first-class
minium, and he continues one motive for giving an undercoat
of Syricum is the evident saving of expense, which results
therefrom.” He has previously, in another passage, told us
that the more expensive colours were furnished to the painters
hy the employers, and says — “ Minium in another w^ay aflPords
a very convenient opportunity to painters for pilfering hy wash¬
ing their brushes filled with colouring matter, every now and
then. The minium of course falls to the bottom, and is thus
so much gained to the thief.”

In the description of these substances there is evidently some
confusion between these several modifications of minium and
cinnabar or vermillion, which was both known and used by the
Pomans.

The remaining pigment which I examined was of a rose
colour. I have had with this specimen great trouble to deter¬
mine its composition, and I am not as yet thoroughly satisfied
regarding its exact nature. The outer portion exposed to the
air is of a cream colour, but the interior has a rose tint. It
consists of a fine white clay with chalk and some colouring
matter. Having satisfied myself that this colouring matter was
not mineral but of organic origin, I endeavoured to ascertain
with what colours derived from this source, and known to the
Pomans, the pigment in question corresponded.

The Porfura of the Greeks, and the Purpurissimum of Pliny
was a colouring matter derived from species of shell fish belong¬
ing to the genera Murex and Purpura. Yitruvius says that
the fish from the northern countries afforded a more violet, and
those from the southern coasts a redder colour, and Pliny says,
that for the use of painters, ‘‘ argentine creta ” was dyed with
it.

It is necessary here to remark that the antients do not
appear to have been acquainted with the difference between
calcareous and aluminous earths, and that “ creta ” was a term
applied by them to every fine white earthy powder. Both
Yitruvius and Pliny say that in reference to this particular
instance, it was adulterated or imitations made of it by

37

tinging creta with madder and hysginum, a dye derived from a
plant unrecognised, although called by Pliny the hyacinth.

The finest purpurissimum had a tint like that of a deep
coloured rose, and was laid on a picture to give the last lustre to
sandyx (red ochre) and to produce the brilliant colour of Vermil¬
lion, but if it was desired to produce a purple, then a coat of
ceruleum (probably copper ochre) was laid beneath, and one of
purpurissimum with egg, upon it.

The second colour which the pigment in question might be
is madder, called by Dioscorides “ eruthodanus ’’ or ‘‘ ereatho-
danus,” of the identity of this substance with our madder there
can be but little doubt. Under the kermes berry our cochineal
is described — ‘‘ the holm oak with its scarlet berry. It is pro¬
duced in Galatia, Africa, Piscidia, and Cilicia ; the most inferior
kind is that of Sardinia.”

This mistake of the Eoman author in describing an insect as
a berry, is an excusable one, as it was a long time before the
nature of the Coccus was understood. The Coccus Ilicis is
here alluded to, and is found on the Ilex or Quercus Coccifera.

My colour so far agrees with either of the two preceding,
insomuch that it forms a lake with alumina, and it is the
abundance of the latter to which its permanency may be due.
Whilst agreeing in this matter, in other respects they present
marked differences. The ancient colour is more permanent
than a true vegetable lake would be, and they do not agree in
some chemical reactions, especially in the action of chlorine
upon them. Under the influence of this agent the ancient
colour becomes more purple, and is remarkably stable when
compared with a true madder or cochineal lake. So that I am
inclined to think that if this pigment is not a lake derived from
purpmissimum, that into the composition of this colour it at
least enters combined probably with kermes and madder.

Pliny says that the celebrated Greek painters only employed
four colours — (1) White Melian earth, or more rarely cerussa ;
(2) Eubrica; (3) Yellows ; and (4) Blacks; but he gives a list
of 17 besides several combinations used in his time. This
statement arose probably from an imperfect recollection of a
passage of Cicero. His statement may be true when applied

38

to tlie earliest Greek painters, to tke time of Apelles. But those
of the later school all evidence serves to show were perfect
masters in all the resources of colouring both in variety of
tints as well as means of producing effect and harmony.

This examination, limited as it is, seems to show that mineral
colours were most extensively employed hy the Eomans as
pigmentary substances, arising in all probability from a know¬
ledge that they possessed greater permanency than those ob¬
tained from the organic kingdom, and likewise that pure native
minerals, without artificial preparation, were- adopted and this
serves to account for the numerous small quantities of foreign
matters found in their pigments. The presence of alumina in
large quantities with colours of animal or vegetable origin,
would also seem to demonstrate, that they were acquainted vdth
the method of preparing those compounds which we now call
lakes, which are simply vegetable coloims precipitated in com¬
bination hy that earth, giving them greater brilliancy, and
in the generality of cases, more permanence than the colour
alone would possess. It woidd he somewhat interesting to
learn whether they were acquainted vith the property which
tin possesses, as well as alumina in this respect.

Oct. 2nd. — The Eev. Canon Eaine read a paper on some
Eoman curiosities recently discovered in York. He stated
that in the summer of 1874 a remarkable sculptured stone was
discovered hy the workmen who were making an entrance to
the new railway station through the mediaeval wall of the city.
It represents a rude headless figure of a deity vlth vings,
leaning against what seems to he a seat. The right hand, most
of which is lost, seems to have held a staff, the left has a hunch
of keys. Around the middle of the figure is a girdle or apron,
curiously fringed with something running or coiling round it.
Under the feet is a plinth or label containing a fragmentary
inscription, the D being on the outside. It may he read as
follows : —

VOL- IRE
^ARIMANIY

The figure was probably placed in a niche in some building.

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39

and still retains traces of the white paint with which it seems
to have been covered. It is possible also that on certain special
occasions it was carried about in procession, shoulder high, as
may he seen in some of the sculptures from Nineveh. It has
been designedly injured ; the head is gone, and the inscription
is mutilated. This is probably another example of early
Christian intolerance. The reading of the inscription has taxed
the ingenuity of many.

I shall now give you, with some remarks of my own, a short
abstract of a learned paper on the subject by Professor Hiibner,
of Berlin, which he has published in the Transactions of the
Archseologists of Bonn. Dr. Hiibner, before explaining his
own views, takes the Aristotelian method of shewing how
each of the previous interpretations is inaccurate. The letter
D, as he observes, in the left corner, might pre-suppose the
existence of M on the opposite side, which is now broken
away. If the M was intended for Manihus, we have a
fimereal inscription ; but, independently of anything else,
the winged figure of the deity forbids such a supposition.

Another suggested reading has been Deo Magno Volusius
Irenceus Arimanio Now Arimanius was an Eastern

deity, representing the minister of evil, in opposition to
Mithras. This reading, however, cannot be assented to, as the
last letter in the word Arimanius upon the stone is not 0, but
a portion of H or Y.

Then, again, it has been conjectured that on the right hand
corner there might have been the letter M as an abridgment
for Mithrce, the Sun-god, the beneficent source of life and heat.
This is possible, but at present there is no recorded instance of
M by itself, standing for Mithras. He is generally addressed
as Deo Soli invicto ; oi: D S I M, that is, Deo Soli invicto Mithrw,
or Mithrce C(auto) D(ati)^ and it would not be easy for the
sculptor to find room for all these letters in the right-hand
corner ; nor does the figure in any way resemble the representa¬
tions of Mithras. Another reading is Deo 3Iagno Volcano
Irenceus et Arimanius posuerunt. Against this there is the fact
that Yulcan never appears under the form of Vol. Besides,
he is never represented with wings, and the hammer and tongs
are more congenial to him than the staff and keys.

F

40

We now come to Professor Hutner’s own suggestion.
Leaving for a moment the name of the deity, he reads the
words within the label or inclosed space-, as follows : — volvsii
iRENJEvs ET ARiMAxivs POSVERVNT, that is, he makes the dedi¬
cators two brothers, called respectively Volusms Iremeus and
Voluskis Arimankis. The name Arimanius is peculiar; it is
possible that the Volusii were of Persian descent, and familiar
therefore with the Eastern deity Arimahn.

We now turn to the headless mysterious divinity. Dr.
Hiihner considers that we have in it a representation of Time
— ^on or ^vuni — and he compares it with a number of similar
figures, discovered abroad, which are thought to set forth the
same deity. The characteristics of these figures are a naked
form with a lion’s head, and q. serpent coiling round the body.
Sometimes it has two wings on the shoulders, sometimes two
more on the legs. It holds a staff in one hand, often resem¬
bling a measuring rod ; in the other hand there is a bunch of
keys. All these points are symbolical of Eastern worship, and
some of them have been introduced into Christianity. The
snake represents the mingling ages or eternity ; the rod, the
power to take the measui’e of time ; the keys, the opening and
closing of all things, particularly of the year ; the lion’s head
signifies the strength and the devoTuing power of time.

To turn to the sculpture itself, which is standing beside you.
Dr. Hiihner considers that it had a lion’s head, and that the
belt around the waist is an unsuccessful eflPort of a provincial
sculptor to represent a serpent. In the right hand, or near it,
is a portion of the measuring rod, in the left are the keys.
The figure has two wings, and Dr. Hiihner supposes that in
the right hand corner, at the end of the label, was the word
JEvo or something like it. At the head of his paper, by the
side of our figure from York, he gives a lithograph of a stone
in the museum at Bonn, which does little more than express
the very part which the York sculptiue wants, I mean the
lion’s head. A more hideous looking creature it is difficult to
imagine.

In the course of the present siiimner a fragment of a
tablet of limestone was discovered on the Mount, but most

41

unfortunately, only six letters of the inscription have been
preserved. They constitute the ends of the two last lines

C V R

O.S.P.

Of course any reading of this fragment can only be of the
most conjectural character. The last two letters probably
stand for sua iiecunia. It is much to he hoped that some
farther portions of this inscription may he discovered.

There have been recently placed in the Musemn two silver
rings, each of which hears an inscription. The first was found
some two years ago upon Barker Hill, and when it was
cleaned with acid the two words DEO SHCELO disclosed
themselves. The god Sucelus is entirely unknown. Probably
he was some local divinity. There was a place of a similar
name in Spain, and it is easy of com^se to form a theory that
some soldier of the 9th, or the Spanish legion, brought this
ring with him to York.

The other ring bears the letters TOT, which are still more
difficult to explain. It was found on the new railway works.
Dr. Hiibner suggests the possibility of Mars Toutates having
been intended. But this is entirely conjectural, and so also is
the idea that TOT represents toUis, to be rendered perhaps
icJwlIy thine, so that we may regard the ring as a lover’s gift.

We have a discovery of a very different character in a stone
coffin which was found in the new Pailway Station in the
month of June. It bears no inscription, but it is the longest
and the heaviest that we possess, being eight feet in length and
proportionately thick. The coffin contained the bones of a
woman laid in gypsum, in close adherence to which were
portions of the dress in which she had been interred. The
best of these fragments have been carefully preserved (they
were shown upon the table) , and the coffin is now placed in the
row of Poman tombs in the Hospitium, the bones and the
gypsum having been carefully replaced in their original posi¬
tions. The top of the coffin is secured by a glass frame. And
now let me mention a curious circumstance. The holes in the
stone by which the frame is fastened to the coffin, were drilled
by a left-handed man, and he remarked that the tool marks

42

on the outside of the coffin showed that the Roman mason who
made them with his chisel had been left-handed like himself.
The stone is so fine, and the chisel marks upon it are so fresh,
that the coffin might have left the mason’s yard last week,
instead of sixteen hundred years ago.

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