176 



Annual Addrt** to the CotUtwold Naturafot*' Field CM, read By 

 W. V. GUISE, F.L.S.. F G.S , Pretident. 



23, 1860. 



, In compliance with the custom of the Club it becomes 

 my duty to lay before you an outline of the general working of our 

 Society, and of the progress of Science in connexion with it, during 

 the past season. In doing so, I am happy to have it in my power 

 to congratulate you upon the results. It is true that I cannot point 

 to many written papers as evidence of our activity ; yet, in proof 

 that we have not been idle, the records of our meetings will shew a 

 goodly array of facts established, and of doubts resolved, which are 

 after all amongst the most valuable results within the reach of local 

 contributors to Science. 



In estimating the advantages of such an association as ours, 

 it must be borne in mind that the good which we effect is not limited 

 to the registration of facts in connexion with local phenomena, 

 T pg>itia1 and important, though such functions undoubtedly are. Our 

 gatherings in out-of-the-way nooks and corners ; our rambles over 

 hill and dale, by pool and stream, in leafy woodland, or on breezy 

 down ; the free interchange of thought and feeling between con- 

 genial minds ; all these conditions and circumstances tend to promote 

 that love of Nature and of Natural Science, which the Field Clubs 

 in especial have done so much to foster and develope. 



The chief danger to be apprehended, perhaps, from the social 

 character of our meetings is lest we should degenerate too much 

 into the habits of mere " pic-nickers," From this risk, however, 



