BY THE PEESIDEXT. 123 



and almost to see the process of digestion going on. "We find, even 

 in the smallest things, the most wonderful perfection. It calls to 

 my mind a passage of one of the oldest writers on Natural History, 

 Pliny, who says that ''the nature of things is never more complete 

 than in the smallest" — '■'■Cum natura rerum nusquam mag is quam 

 in minimis tota sit.'''' 



" Xature hath made no thing so base but can 

 Eead some instruction to the wisest man." 



And it is, I think, by means of the microscope that we can form 

 the best idea of the marvellous power of the Creator. 



I have now just touched upon some of those subjects which fall 

 within our domain. 



Our field meetings unfortunately were not so successful last 

 year as could have been wished, but I hope may during the 

 ensuing season be more prosperous. It seems to me that in 

 planning these expeditions it is desirable not to make them 

 cover too large an extent of country ; it is much better to make 

 our excursions short, and to explore the country we intend to 

 examine, well, rather than find ourselves compelled to hurry and 

 neglect some interesting point to catch a train or to return home 

 by daylight. In planning our excursions no doubt it is very 

 desii'able, as far as possible, to make the objects varied, so that on 

 one occasion the botanist may find something more especially to 

 interest him, on another the entomologist, and on another the 

 geologist — but it is impossible to take an excursion of the kind 

 without finding some objects for all. 



"We have around us in this county, and in the neighbouring 

 counties, a sufficient field for us to be able to make interesting 

 excursions during a long series of years. "We are well placed, with 

 regard to railway communication, for exploring what lies more 

 immediately in our own neighbourhood, or for varying expeditions 

 in the neighbourhood with those to a greater distance. "We may, 

 I think, occasionally venture to explore some new districts where 

 we shall find a new soil, new plants, new animals, and new insects. 

 It will be a matter for our excellent Secretary to consider. I am 

 sure, if the Society has in any way been successful, it is in great 

 measure to the efforts of our Secretary it is due. The pains which 

 he has taken in organizing our excursions have been enormous, and 

 I can only regret that on one or two occasions, owing to unfavour- 

 able weather, they have been in vain. 



I have now given you at greater length than I intended, but I 



