KKV. Mil HA I FID'S A DDK EN*. 13 



but also as the most reasonable and the most adapted to our present 

 situation ; and well, therefore, has it obtained the name of Natural 

 Knowledge. 



But it is not my present purpose either formally to enumerate the 

 advantages of natural history, or to give an answer to the question which 

 has so often been asked, Of what importance, or of what avail, are the 

 pursuits of the naturalist ? That question has often been already most 

 satisfactorily answered, and, however interesting or important might be 

 its discussion in some quarters, it fortunately is not necessary in our 

 present circumstances. We are already sufficiently convinced both of 

 the utility and importance of such pursuits as those for which this Club 

 was instituted ; and even though this utility were less capable of being 

 proved than we conceive it is, we are sufficiently satisfied with the sim- 

 ple pleasure which the following of such pursuits affords, and with the 

 simple information and the rational amusement which we thence derive. 



The advantages to natural science in general of such an institution 

 as the Berwickshire Naturalist's Club, must be equally obvious without 

 attempting a formal statement or investigation. Our labours are limited 

 to a certain district, we have a distinct and a specific field for exer- 

 tion, and we are thus led more minutely to examine into Nature's 

 works and Nature's wonders, as well as more regularly to record our ob- 

 servations, than if our field of examination were more extensive, and our 

 object were more general and undefined. There is, besides, the very 

 useful spirit of honourable competition to stimulate our exertions, and, 

 as the reward of these exertions, there is the pleasure and the satisfaction 

 which, we know, await even our most trifling contribution to the general 

 stock of knowledge. 



When these, and many other advantages, which will readily suggest 

 themselves, are considered, it is not unreasonable to expect from the ex- 

 ertions of such a body, many interesting discoveries and important addi- 

 tions to the natural history of our country, and many curious facts af- 

 fecting the state of natural science in general, which, but for the estab- 

 lishment of such an institution, had remained in darkness and obscurity. 

 Nor, as far as regards the Naturalist's Club of Berwickshire, are we dis- 

 appointed in these expectations ; an institution, the second anniversary 

 of which we are now assembled to celebrate, an institution which, from 

 its first formation, has been daily increasing both in numbers and re- 

 spectability, and the labours of which, we are proud to say, have been 

 neither insignificant nor unsuccessful. It belongs not to me, as a mem- 

 ber of this society, to celebrate its praises ; but it certainly belongs to me, 

 in the honourable situation I now hold in it, to congratulate you, as I 

 do most cordially, on its increasing prosperity. When such an institu- 

 tion was first proposed, it certainly was hoped, and fondly hoped, that it 

 might prosper, and that we might do something towards the elucidation 

 of the natural history of this interesting county ; but even the most 



