310 PROCEEDINGS OF PROVINCIAJ* SOCIETIES. 



the chair. H. Strickland, Esq., read the Annual Address of the 

 Council, which, after alluding to the numerous and liberal dona- 

 tions to the museum and library, exhibited the labours of the Socie- 

 ty in the advancement of science during the past year. The follow- 

 ing is a sketch of the proceedings of the different Committees devoted 

 to the several branches of science. In Meteorology, two valuable 

 papers have been received, one by W. Addison, Esq., of Great Mai. 

 vern — the other by John Williams, Esq., of Pitmaston, on the wea- 

 ther of 1836 compared with 1837, and the Influence of the late se- 

 vere Season on Vegetation and the progress of Diseases. At the de- 

 sire of the Statistical Committee, the Revs. Thos. and John Pearson 

 have just published the Statistical History of Great Witley, prepara- 

 tory to a general history of the country ; and Sir Thomas Phillips 

 is now preparing a similar account of the vicinity of Broadway. 

 The Botanical Committee record their gratitude to Mr. Phipps On- 

 slow for a liberal offer of specimens, and to the executors of the late 

 Mr Purton, for a collection of Cryptogamia made by that eminent 

 botanist. In Geology, several important discoveries are announced. 

 The new Red Sandstone, which was long considered to be devoid of 

 fossils, has been found by Mr. Amphlett, of Dunclent, to contain an 

 abundance of vegetable remains at Hadley and Elmley Lovett. Si- 

 milar fossils also occur at Breakback Hill, near Bromsgrove. An- 

 other stratum of sandstone near the top of the red marl at Birghill, 

 near Eldersfield, has been found to contain bones and bivalve shells, 

 and as this stratum is quarried at Ripple, at Inkberrow, and other 

 places, it is recommended that further search be made for these curious 

 remains. Some interesting observations have also been made on the 

 superficial gravel of this county. This gravel is supposed to have 

 been deposited partly by marine currents and partly by ancient ri- 

 vers. If this view be correct, every gravel pit in the county may be 

 expected to yield either marine shells or bones, and fresh- water shells. 

 Jabez Allies, Esq., has found the former in the gravel at Kempsey, 

 and the Rev. W. Parker has discovered bones and fresh-water shells 

 at Bricklehampton. The Council conclude their address with recom- 

 mending the Society and the public to make further search for these 

 fossil remains, and to ascertain whether bones and fresh water shells 

 are ever found in the gravel on the top of hills, or only, as seems to 

 be the case, in the immediate vicinity of existing rivers and streams. 



After a series of resolutions had been passed, the Rev. John 

 Pearson rose to read his paper on British Ornithology. The lec- 

 turer remarked that " between the limited faculties of man and the 

 boundless range of omnipotence there is an impassable gulph ; and 

 while we stand alone in our insignificance, and every movement we 

 make is calculated to add humility to the humble and to strike with 

 dismay the arrogant and presuming, we are allowed to follow the 

 works of creation with admiration of their beauty, with amazement 

 at their gigantic structure and correctness of order, and with deep- 

 seated gratitude for the benefits and advantages they are calculated 

 to afford. Religion approves and philosophy promotes these generous 



