president's address. 31 



this part of the kingdom, would have led to an early completion 

 of the Ordnance Map of Northumberland; but I regret to hear that 

 operations are to be suspended, and that a further delay of three 

 years will take place before they are resumed. Until the series of 

 levellings are completed and published, any approach to accuracy 

 is nearly impossible in a district so varied in elevation as North- 

 umberland ; but, in the mean time, it may not be without use to 

 consider the districts between the Tees and the Tweed as divi- 

 sible into distinct regions for the purpose of Botanical divisions. 

 With this view, I venture to suggest for consideration three 

 zones of elevation — one embracing the extensive level lowlands 

 near the coast, not exceeding 200 feet above the sea ; another, 

 all lands between 200 and 1,000 feet elevation ; and a third, the 

 more elevated moorlands, above 1,000 feet. These may be called 

 the sea, middle, and mountain zones ; and be subdivided into 

 districts, comprising, first, The country lying between the River 

 Tweed and north-west borders of the County of Northumberland, 

 and a line of latitude extending between the Rivers Coquet and 

 Wansbeck ; another, between this line and a line between the 

 Tyne and the Wear ; the third, extending from the last-named 

 summit to the River Tees (as sketched approximately on the 

 small map, on which also are marked the several places hitherto 

 visited by the Club). I have received from Capt. Cooke, who is 

 now superintending the Ordnance Surveys in this district, several 

 interesting details relating to the elevated region in which, as 

 you are aware, much of my own time is passed ; and I beg to 

 say, that I will have much pleasure in facilitating, if I can, any 

 attempts that may be made to investigate the Botanical species 

 and localities of the moorland districts adjacent to the upper 

 dales of the Rivers East and West Allen and the Wear. 



It is unnecessary for me to advert, otherwise than in brief 

 terms, to the interest and importance of the study of Natural 

 History, or to the advantage, as well as pleasure, of pursuing 

 it, by visiting different loca,lities, within a reasonable limit, as 

 regards the time which can conveniently be spared. Distance 

 has become less an object accordingly as railway facilities are 

 more or less presented. Your having joined this Society, is 



