VI 



that it is one which entails upon us a considerable expense, and 

 although I for one should be glad to see the expense still farther 

 increased by an increase of such papers still, as it was not con- 

 templated in the original formation of our Club, I think it right 

 to bring the matter fairly before your consideration. 



It appears to me that three courses lie before us. First to 

 print all such papers as may be read, even at an additional in- 

 crease of expense, yet still amounting to but a small sum per 

 annum if regularly collected. Secondly to limit ourselves, as 

 i-iginally intended, to matters connected with the Natural 

 History of the County. And, Thirdly, to make an arrangement 

 by which any members might subscribe for any number of copies 

 they might wish for, and so divide the cost according to the 

 number of copies ordered. This matter, Gentlemen, I beg to 

 leave in your hands reminding you, however, that the unpreci- 

 drntr-d call of one pound each is made this year it is in fact for the 

 transactions of this year and last, as nothing was collected last year. 



Though I, however, should be sorry to limit our papers strictly 

 to county matters, yet I confess I should be glad to see these 

 more closely followed up. We have as yet no list of Fossils, 

 Plants, Shells, or Insects, any of which would form a most desir- 

 able and apppropriate feature in the works of our Club ; while of 

 our numerous and interesting antiquities, with the exception of 

 Mr. Pooley's paper of this year, not a word has been said save 

 the simple record that the Club has visited them, as given in the 

 address of your most unscientific President. Forgive, Gentlemen, 

 my calling your attention to this subject. I am, as you all know, 

 a man of few ideas beyond my county, and though I should be 

 sorry to see the transactions of the Club strictly limited to the 

 field of our rambles, yet I cannot but think that we should more 

 especially fulfill our mission, as a County Club, by devoting more 

 attention to the Natural History and Antiquities of our own 

 district. 



Notes on the Natural History of the County of Gloucester. 

 By Professor J. BUCKMAN, F.G.S ., F.L.S., &c. 

 ON THE OBCHIDACE.E. 



The Orchids present such a large assemblage of highly curious 

 plants, that it seems astonishing so little should be popularly 

 known about our native examples. It is true that a few species 

 of exotic Orchids may be met with in the hot houses of the more 

 wealthy, and these are esteemed on account of the strange forms 

 which their flowers frequently assume, and the exquisite perfume 

 some of them exhale. But though it is quite true that these have 

 had their share of attention, yet who in a country walk at home 

 ever plucks an Orchis, much less examines its structure, and yet 

 thev abound everywhere, and offer a showiness of flower, a variety 

 of colour and structure with, in some species, an odour which 



