REV. MR CLARK*8 ADDRESS. 125 



closely investigated, that scarcely anything could have escaped the 

 observations of the several members during the thirteen years in 

 which they have pursued their pleasing labours. Perhaps, then, it 

 may be asked, " What good have we done, or what is now the use 

 of our meeting together ?" I feel sure that I am only expressing 

 the sentiments of the members, both present and absent, when I 

 state, that we certainly hope that our labours are beneficial, and 

 our meetings useful. The study of Nature affords a never-failing 

 source of intellectual enjoyment ; and "it is only by the united 

 observations of various persons that we must expect to learn many 

 curious facts in Natural History, of which we are still ignorant," 

 and to correct erroneous opinions, which, having been handed down 

 to us undisputed, we are apt sometimes to adopt without sufficient 

 investigation. Besides, it is always a matter of satisfaction to find 

 in their usual localities the native plants still flourishing. The 

 hand of man is fast changing the face of Nature in various parts 

 of our district. The plough, combined with the system of draining, 

 now become so prevalent, is causing the disappearance of many of 

 the marsh plants ; and, among the feathered race, the snipe, the 

 curlew, and the plover, deprived of their boggy feeding ground, 

 are daily becoming more rarely seen. The advantage, however, 

 derived to man, by the improvement of the soil and climate, is a 

 matter of congratulation. That draining should have a most 

 beneficial influence upon the atmosphere, when it is carried on to 

 a considerable extent, is, I believe, generally admitted ; and we 

 may therefore hope, that, even in our day, we may be permitted to 

 enjoy an improved climate. The past season has certainly been 

 attended with an unprecedented fall of rain, — the snows of a 

 lengthened winter, during which the thermometer frequently showed 

 a very low degree of temperature, did not disappear until near the 

 end of March ; the vegetation in spring was late ; and, from the 

 beginning of July to the last week in August, rain fell almost 

 daily, causing the rivers to overflow their banks to an extent not 

 witnessed for the last thirty years, even in the floods of winter. 

 The heavy crops of grain were in many places laid low, and the 

 fears of the husbandmen excited for the approaching harvest. A 

 most delightful change of weather, however, succeeded at the end 

 of August, recalling to mind the gracious promise made to Noah, 

 " that while the earth remaineth, seed-time and harvest, and cold 



