Ki-.v. THOMAS uiM)i:i.i/s ADDRESS. 217 



The pleasure derived from such pursuits will not be questioned by 

 any one who has ever engaged in them, however slightly. But the 

 benefit to bo derived from them, does not terminate in the feelings of 

 admiration and delight. They conduce to the growth of a healthy 

 frame of mind ; especially when the naturalist sees in himself merely 

 the interpreter of Nature, and is content in sincerity and humility to 

 follow out the evidence of facts. The polemical and personal dis- 

 putes which have in turns disgraced theology, literature, and sci- 

 ence, arise from the pursuit of selfish aims, and those who have been 

 involved in them have seldom attained the highest grade. The most 

 brilliant discoveries and the largest views have generally rewarded 

 the modest and simple-minded. Science especially must be loved for 

 its own sake, and communicated from a desire to make others sharers 

 in the pleasures and benefits it confers. 



But I ought to apologize for stating truths with which you must 

 already be well acquainted. In this spirit of sincere, unadulterated 

 love of knowledge, the Club was founded, and on these principles its 

 proceedings have hitherto been conducted. While, therefore, I ask 

 your indulgence for my own deficiencies in discharging the office of 

 President, I cannot do better, as regards yourselves, than exhort you 

 to persevere in your usual course of patient observation, praiseworthy 

 exertion, and the friendly interchange of scientific information. 



Additions to the Popular Rhymes of Berwickshire. By GEORGE HEN- 

 DERSON, Surgeon, Chirnside. 



As one gentleman connected with the Berwickshire Naturalists' 

 Club takes an interest in the popular sayings of Berwickshire, I sub- 

 join a few that occur to me for his consideration. Although their 

 literary merit may be no higher than Mother Shipton's Prophecies, 

 and similar productions, yet they may cast a light on the manners of 

 past ages, preserve the memory of obsolete superstition, and be the 

 sole records of events of which " a peasant's plaint prolongs the du- 

 bious date." 



" Tho oak, the ash, the elm tree, 

 The laird can hang for a' the three." 



This rhyme is interesting, both as it may bear incidental evidence 

 to what were the indigenous and most valuable trees of the country, 

 and as it may be connected with history. It is well known that the 

 greater part of the south of Scotland was at one time overgrown \\ ith 

 forests, which, from various causes, became thinned and wasted, and 

 in many cases wholly extirpated. In the reign of James the Second 

 of Scotland, the Legislature made a vigorous effort to repair the da- 

 mage. A law was passed in 1457, " Anent plantation of woodes and 



