NATURAL HISTORY EXCURSION. 17 



citizens. Our two physicians were unwittingly drawn in, not 

 suspecting tliat the thing was interfering with their means 

 of a livelihood;. and we hope at an early day to dispense with 

 the services of both these gentlemen, although we value them 

 highly as friends and townsmen. Our plan is to hold field- 

 meetings about once a month, especially during spring and 

 autumn. A pleasant grove in some neighboring town is 

 generally selected as a place of rendezvous, to which the 

 members go by different routes, at their own convenience. 

 A basket picnic at noon is usually followed by a discussion, 

 in the most friendly and familiar way, of the various speci- 

 mens we have gathered ; and all return home at an early hour, 

 pleased and delighted with the occasion ; and we are unani- 

 mously agreed that our minds and bodies are so refreshed 

 and invigorated by these little respites, that we can perform 

 more labor, both mental and physical, than if we had not 

 indulged in them. We meet once a month during winter, 

 at the house of some member, to hear an essay, and enjoy 

 a social chat on any subject connected with botany. But the 

 principal enjoyment comes from our rambles in summer 

 through woodland and pasture in search of wild flowers, 

 which is delightful in itself, besides being eminently health- 

 ful. We believe thoroughly in out-of-door exercise for 'all 

 classes, and that walking, suitably dressed, with a pleasant 

 object in view, is far better for health than riding in fashiona- 

 ble luxurious carriages. We have known several invalid 

 ladies who have entirely recovered .their health by this same 

 sort of exercise. 



Are there any young ladies here who are losing the color 

 from their cheek, or the elasticity of their step ; whose par- 

 ents are contemplating a trip to Florida to avoid our New- 

 Enffland winter, or have sought the mountains in summer? 

 Did you ever try the medicine of walking ? Do you know 

 where in all your vicinity to find the earliest arbutus, hepati- 

 ca, or bloodroot ? Do you know in what meadows to look 

 for the orchids, and every knoll that is congenial to the 

 columbine and saxifrage? At this season can you find the 

 fringed gentian? Or can you tell how many varieties of 

 aster and golden-rod are within sight of your homes ? 



Are there any professional gentlemen here, or those of sed- 

 entary habits, who are troubled with dyspepsia, and are look- 



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