THE LOCAL FIELD-CLUBS OF GREAT BRITAIN. 91 



merit may take place in this particular. The winter meetings ai'e 

 well attended ; and the papers appear to be both useful and inter- 

 esting. 



We are glad to learn that the Society had carefully investigated the 

 flora of Todraorden ; and the last report announces that " the manu- 

 script is very nearly completed, and that copy may be put into tlie 

 hands of the printer as soon as the fluids of the Society warrant such 

 a proceeding." As the balance-sheet shows that the funds are in a 

 satisfactory condition, we hope that the publication of this Flora may 

 ere long be proceeded with, as such a woi-k is peculiarly suitable to a 

 local club. 



Besides a library of more than 600 books, the Club possesses a 

 large and valuable herbarium, various preparations illustrative of eco- 

 nomic botany, and collections of fossils, minerals, etc. The accommo- 

 dation for these is stated to be at present very inadequate. Among 

 the more important contributions to the herbarium are those of the 

 late Vice-President, Mr. John Nowell ; his collection of British mosses 

 is considered one of the most complete in existence. 



Mr. Nowell was a most energetic officer of tlie Club, from its forma- 

 tion until his death in 1867 ; an obelisk has been raised to his memory 

 by the members ; he was well known as an able muscologist, and is 

 further commemorated in the genus Notoellia (Mitten). 



III. The Chester-le-Street (Durham) Natural History 

 AND Science Club. 



This Society was established in December, 1868, and numbers at 

 the present time between fifty and sixty regular, and three corresponding 

 members. The officers are a President (Rev. R. Kirwood), two Vice- 

 Presidents, a Treasurer, Secretary (Mr. Joseph Robinson), and a Com- 

 mittee, composed of twelve members. During 1869 several evening 

 meetings have been held, two lectures by the Rev. A. M. Norman and 

 George Lyall, Esq., F.G.S., have been given, and four field meetings 

 have taken place. No definite work has at present been undertaken 

 by the Society ; but we learn that it is proposed to investigate care- 

 fully tlie flora of the district, which, when completed, vvill probably be 

 published. The Society may be congratulated on having, in so short 

 a time, enrolled so many members ; but it must be remembered tliat 

 the mere joining of such a body is in itself of little use, unless the 



