ADDRESS TO THE MEMBERS OF THE TYNESIDE 

 NATURALISTS' FIELD CLUB, 



DELIVERED AT THE FIFTH ANNIVERSARY MEETING, HELD IN THE 

 C0M3IITTEE ROOM OF THE LITERARY AND PHILOSOPHICAL SOCIETY, 



NEWCASTLE, MARCH 22, 1851. By DENNIS EMBLETON, Esq., 



M.D., PRESIDENT. 



Gentlemen, — Happilj the President of a small republic of 

 Naturalists is not liable, like the head of larger political com- 

 monwealths, to very serious stress of mind, either from the cares 

 and labours of office, on the one hand, or from the harassings of 

 an untiring and relentless opposition on the other. 



The occupiers of this chair, at least, after having all enjoyed 

 their position in harmony and peace, have hitherto retired, with 

 considerable honor, amid the thanks of the constituency. 



The chief duty, indeed, devolving upon your President, is that 

 marked out by the 9th rule of our constitution; namely, "to 

 provide, at the end of his term of office, an Address, containing a 

 written summary of the proceedings of the Club, at the several 

 Field Meetings; together with such observations, from himself, 

 as he may deem conducive to the welfare of the Club, and the 

 promotion of its objects." 



At the end of this, our first Lustrum, I shall not be considered, 

 I trust, as transgressing the spirit of that Rule, if I attempt, in 

 addition to the customary report, a brief review of the whole of 

 our past efforts, and of our present condition ; and endeav^our to 

 find therein some grounds for our encouragement, some instructive 

 indications for our future course. 



In the first place, the reports of our Field and other meetings 

 must be brought up to the present time. 



At our last Anniversary, an evening meeting and six excur- 

 sions were planned ; but, unfortunately, the weather, on three of 

 our Field days, proved so unpropitious, that the meetings were 

 rendered either altogether, or very nearly abortive ; whilst, on 



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