344 The Scottish Naturalist. 



common Bladdervvort ( U. vulgaris) was seen, though not in flower. These 

 plants seem frequently to pass years without flowering, and then to burst into 

 abundant blossom. The Water Milfoils {Myriophyllum alternifolium), and 

 Marestail {Hippuris vulgaris) are plentiful and flower freely in many of the 

 holes, and show well the distinction in appearance between submerged and 

 aerial leaves. The very local Small Burreed {Sparganium minimum) grows in 

 one or two holes, and there is plenty of the Branched Burreed {S. ramosum). 



PKESIDENT'S ADDKESS. 



By Prof. TRAIL. 

 ON THE WORK OF THE UNION. 



In the present address, I will not attempt to rival the admirable 

 addresses of our first president, Dr. Buchanan White, and of my 

 immediate predecessor, Professor Geikie ; but will follow in their 

 footsteps in endeavouring to suggest methods by which the 

 members of the Union can, if desirous, carry forward the work 

 which all have at heart, and to indicate how with most success an 

 abundant and fruitful harvest of knowledge may be reaped. 

 The selection of subjects has been made solely because it is 

 necessary to limit attention to a few at present, and in full recog- 

 nition of these being but a few out of many. There is room and 

 there is work for all who seek to discover and to spread abroad a 

 knowledge of the mysteries of the Universe. We heartily wish 

 that every Association formed for similar ends with our own 

 should spread and be fruitful and do good work in its own special 

 line. Archaeology is a study of the utmost interest for local 

 societies, and we rejoice that it is proposed to form a society in 

 the north-east of Scotland for the investigation and publication of 

 archaeological materials in the widest sense. If it preserves to 

 posterity the folk-lore, and the traditions and historical records of 

 this district, it will deserve well of the community. But, however 

 wide one's sympathies may be, one's ability for useful investigation 

 lies within but a narrow range ; and it is right that each one who 

 addresses this Union should confine hmvselt to matters with which 

 he has made himself, at least in a measure, familiar, and in treating 

 which he is entitled to hope that he may aid the work of his 

 fellow-members. 



