Collection: Natural History

These records of species found in the Upper Calder Valley were made by local enthusiasts who founded the Hebden Bridge Literary and Scientific Society in 1905. Some of them were known nationally for their work such as James Needham, a mycologist and bryologist. The Natural History Section of the Society continued until 1959 but the records largely cover the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. They include published records such as those of John Watson in his History and Antiquities of Halifax published in 1775. The Lepidoptera records include abbreviated details of where the sightings were published and refer to the following: 1. Barrett, C.G. The Lepidoptera of the British Islands. Vol. I-XI, London, Reeve 1893-1907; 2. Meyrick, E., A handbook of British Lepidoptera, London, Macmillan, 1895; 3. Meyrick, E., The label list of British Lepidoptera compiled after ‘A handbook of British Lepidoptera, London, Watkins & Doncaster, 1896; 4. Kloet, G.S. & Hincks W.D., A check list of British insects, Part 2: Lepidoptera 1945. 5. South, R., “The Entomologist” synonymic list of British Lepidoptera, 1884; Many of the reports also appeared in The Naturalist, the journal of the Yorkshire Naturalists' Union, which is now available online: https://www.biodiversitylibrary.org/bibliography/95438