114 ANNIVEBSAKY ADDRESS 



Mr. Littleboy, also, has given us a very interesting paper, " AFew 

 Words about our Local Ferns," and we have further recorded in the 

 pages of our ' Transactions ' the discovery of two or three plants 

 which are new to Hertfordshire — Myosotis stjkatica, Poterium 

 mtiricatum, and Impatiens fulva. In Meteorology and Botany com- 

 bined, showing the relationship of one to the other, we have had 

 papers, — from Dr. Hind, " Notes on the Plants on which the IMeteor- 

 ological Society invites Observation as to their Time of Flower- 

 ing; " and from Mr. Hopkinson, "On the Observation of Periodical 

 Xatural Phenomena." Mr. Cottam has also given us some " Notes 

 on the Observation of Insects in Connexion with Investigations on 

 Seasonal Phenomena." "With regard to Meteorology, we have had 

 meteorological observations taken at Cassiobury by the Earl of 

 Essex, and I believe we shall also have a report from Dr. Brett at 

 Watford House. We have also had reports of the rainfall from 

 several observers, and Mr. Heather has just given us a paper " On the 

 Construction, Adjustment, and Use of Meteorological Instruments." 

 In Natural Histoiy generally we have had a paper from Mr. 

 Harting on the study of Natural History, relating more particu- 

 larly to the observation of the migration and habits of birds ; and 

 in Entomology two notices from Mr. J. H. James, on the "De- 

 struction of an Oak-tree by the Larvse of the Goat Moth," and 

 on " The Death's Head Moth at Watford ; " while Mr. Cottam has 

 given us a notice relative to the appearance of Sphinx Conrolvuli. 

 We have also had, from various authors, several minor notices on 

 Botany, etc., and at our evening meetings some very interesting 

 microscopical exhibitions. 



We may therefore look back with satisfaction on the work of 

 the past year, and I think, judging from what has already been 

 communicated here, we may fairly hope for the future that those 

 gentlemen who have so readily given us so much will give us 

 more ; and others will no doubt follow the good example set them, 

 especially when they come to consider how much lies within our 

 reach, and comes within our area of observation. 



Up to the present time our papers seem to have been mainly 

 devoted to geology, botany, and meteorology ; but our area is suffi- 

 ciently wide to embrace the whole field of Natural History. We 

 have only at present extended our investigations to two or three 

 departments, while the whole of that vast area of Natural History 

 is open before us ; and it has occurred to me that on the present 

 occasion it might be well if I were to call attention to a few of tlie 



