468 Miscellaneous, 



more widely spread diseases ; the lawyer finds in the micros- 

 copical structure of vegetable products a ready means of detecting 

 frauds, adulterations and poisonings ; the commercial man recog- 

 izes the value of a science having such bearings, and directly de- 

 voted to the extension of the sphere of industry ; the spinner 

 and paper maker, must here obtain their knowledge of the 

 mechanical condition of vegetable fibres ; the farmer, the gardener 

 the orchardist, the vine-grower, the brewer, the dyer, the tan- 

 ner, and the lumberman, must all apply to botany for an explan- 

 ation of matters that daily come before them in their various 

 avocations. As an utilitarian institution then our Society is 

 worthy, and will no doubt receive warm support ; but it is 

 to be hoped that many zealous laborers will enter the field from 

 higher motives — a desire to promote the cause of science." 



The Rev. Principal Leitch reviewed some of the leading points 

 brought forward in the addresses, and referred briefly to some of 

 the more important advantages that might accrue to the country 

 from an institution such as the one that had been proposed, al- 

 luding especially to the inducements which it would give to botan- 

 ical research. Dr. Lawson, he said, when enumerating the grounds 

 for the establishment of a Botanical Society, omitted the weighti- 

 estof all, viz, that we can count upon his services. Without his 

 large and valuable experience in the management of such 

 societies I fear we would have little heart to carry out the scheme. 

 He for a long period acted as Secretary to the Edinburgh Botan- 

 ical Society — one of the most active in the world ; and from his 

 accurate knowledge of the details of management, and his well 

 merited distinction in botanical science, he is qualified in no or- 

 dinary measure for organizing such a society as the one we con- 

 template. The labour will fall chiefly upon his shoulders, but 

 we must pledge ourselves to lend him every assistance in our 

 power. 



Communications for the Society are to be addressed to Prof. 

 Lawson, Kingston, Canada West. 



The Liverpool Naturlists Field-Club held their first meeting 

 on Saturday last under favourable and auspicious circumstances. 

 About uinety-five ladies and gentlemen met at the landing-stage 

 and proceeded thence to Bromborow, in Cheshire one of the most 



