DR JOHNSTON'S ADDRESS. 1 1 



you will in a short time find that the leaves have curled themselves back- 

 wards, and now conceal the root by their revolution. Now, the butter- 

 wort is a very common plant ; yet I am not aware that this fact of it* ir- 

 ritability has been ever mentioned. 



Geology. In illustration of the geology of the county, a very ela- 

 borate paper was read to us, at an early meeting, by our zealous col- 

 league, Dr Thomson. He has described, in a clear and interesting man- 

 ner, the geological structure of the parishes of Eccles, Greenlaw, Pol- 

 warth, and Longformacus ; and thus has made a valuable addition to 

 the sketch of the geology of Berwickshire which Mr Baird has given in 

 the introduction to my Flora, and which had more peculiar reference to 

 the eastern parts. I feel myself unqualified to estimate the merits of 

 this paper ; nor is it necessary to enter into any analysis of it here, since 

 it has been printed in the last Number [September 1 832] of the Maga- 

 zine of Natural History. 



Such, Gentlemen, is a rapid indication of the results of our first year's 

 exertions ; and, in my opinion, they do not discredit, but rather justify, 

 the expectations of those who moved the institution of this Club, which, 

 I doubt not, will work still more efficiently in future years. But, when 

 I estimate the advantages of our association by the acquisitions it has 

 made to the natural history of the county, I do it great wrong ; for I 

 hold it to be more useful, as affording a point of rendezvous for the na- 

 turalists of the district, where they may cultivate a mutual acquaintance ; 

 where they may talk over their common pursuit and all its incidents ; 

 where they may mutually give and receive oral information ; where each 

 may nourish his neighbour's zeal ; where we may have our " careless 

 season," and enjoy " perfect gladsomeness ;" and, assuredly the good feel- 

 ing and humour which have hitherto characterised, and will continue to 

 characterise, our every meeting, vindicate me in assigning, as the distinc- 

 tive character of this Club, its social character. 



I cannot, I must not, conclude this address, without an expression of, 

 I trust, our united gratitude to the Preserver of all and the Giver of all 

 good. That fatal disease which has walked over the length and breadth 

 of the land, with fear in its front and mourning in its rear, has not left 

 this county altogether unvisited ; and we cannot yet think of its ravages 

 in the place where we are now assembled, without deep feelings of pity 

 for the loss sustained by the survivors, and without gratitude that here 

 its desolating course was stayed. * No member of the Club has been 

 removed by death ; neither has misfortune visited any of us, save only 

 one, who has been afflicted with a severe and lingering sickness, and has, 

 in consequence, been hindered giving us that attendance and assistance 

 which none was more willing and none more able to give. 



Gentlemen, it is unnecessary to add any plea to induce you to con- 

 tinue your efforts in favour of this Club. The pleasure attendant on our 



1 A very few cases of Cholera subsequently occurred in different parts of Brrwickahirt ; 

 and the disease visited Berwick, Twoedmouth, and Spittal with considerable teverity. 



