PROCEEDINGS OF SOCIETIES. 067 



Library — perhaps the best library for works on Natural History in existence 



the Oxonians enjoy very considerable advantages for the cultivation of zoological 

 science. At present there appears to be no herbarium in the Ashmolean 

 Museum, a desideratum which we hope ere long to see supplied. 



SHROPSHIRE AND NORTH WALES NATURAL HISTORY AND 

 ANTIQUARIAN SOCIETY. 



Among the numerous provincial Natural History Societies that are springing 

 up on every side, there may be and doubtless are some conducted with more 

 pomp and external show than that of Shrewsbury, but we verily believe it 

 exceeds all others in the real desire of effecting something substantially bene- 

 ficial to Natural Science. The annual report for 1836 — a printed copy of which 

 has reached us — is highly satisfactory. The members are above two hundred in 

 number, including many names eminent in science, the professional men, and the 

 nobility and gentry of the town and neighbourhood of Shrewsbury. We 

 conceive gentlemen of property to be a great assistance to Societies of this 

 description ; and if they are either amateurs or connoisseurs in matters of 

 science, they are sure to be amongst the most useful members. Indeed, to this 

 circumstance we are inclined, in a great measure, to attribute the flourishing 

 state of the Shrewsbury Society. Nothing, however, can be further from our 

 desire than to see an aristocratic monopoly at the head of these institutions • 

 on the contrary, every one, however limited his means, ought to be admitted on 

 payment of the annual subscription ; and if there be any really scientific men 

 in the town or neighbourhood so poor as to be unable to pay even that small 

 sum, they should be admitted as honorary members. AU we contend for is 

 that the funds, the library, and the museum may receive much benefit from the 

 richer members ; and as, in our opinion, the nobility and gentry of England 

 cannot employ their time or money more usefully than in encouraging literary 

 and scientific institutions, we shall now give the names of those who lend their 

 support to that of Shrewbury, trusting that so excellent an example will be 

 followed in other districts. As we are not personally acquainted with many of 

 the members, we can only judge by the list contained in the report, and may 

 therefore, perhaps, overlook several of the rich gentry. We present the names 

 in the order they occur in the report : — 



William and John Anstice, Esqrs., Madeley Wood ; Ven. Archdeacon Bather ; Rt. Hon. 

 Lord Berwick, Attingham Hall ; R. M. Biddulph, Esq., F. Z. S., Chirk Castle ; George Bowen 

 Esq., Coton Hall ; Rt. Hon. the Earl of Bradford, D.C.L. F.H.S., F.Z.S. ; Viscount Edward* 

 Clive, M.P., M.A., F.H.S.. F.Z.S. ; Hon. R. II. Clive, M.P., F.R.S., F.Z.S., Oakley Park; 

 Sir A. V. Corbett, Bark, Acton Reynald ; Panton and Richard Corbet, Esqrs., Leighton 

 Hall ; Rt. Hon. the Earl of Darlington, M.P., F.Z.S, Snettisham Hall, Norfolk ; Thomas 



No. 11, Vol. II. 2n 



