234 Nature Study. [Sess. 
~ 
number of wild plants, insects, and fruits from South Africa by 
Mr King. Miss Edith M. H. Gray exhibited a cone from an 
Araucaria imbricata grown at Hollybush, Ayrshire. A large 
number of microscopic slides were also shown by members 
throughout the session. 
NATURE STUDY FROM THE POINT OF VIEW 
OF THE FIELD NATURALIST. 
By Mr W. C. CRAWFORD, F.R.S.E., PresIDENT. 
(Read Oct. 23, 1901.) 
THREE years ago you elected me your President : I can hardly 
believe it was three years ago, the time seems so short. I 
have greatly valued the honour: it has given me very much 
pleasure to preside over a society where goodwill and kindness — 
uniformly prevail, and where many kindred spirits meet 
together. And now in retiring for the third and last time,— — 
for we, the office-bearers, retire every year, and you have re- 
elected me twice,—I should like to talk to you ona subject to — 
promote which is the chief aim of this and of similar societies 
—and of these societies there are a great many, not only in 
this kingdom but in other countries. The subject is Nature 
Study. 
A witty Frenchman, I think it was, once said, “There are 
no such things as facts—there are only points of view”; and in 
discussing human affairs, where the facts are multitudinous and — 
confusing, the point of view may be as important as the facts — 
themselves. Is not every theory a point of view? And so 
the field naturalist from his point of view should be able to see — 
clearly the significance and the trend of nature study. 
Nature study is greatly talked about at present: it is being — 
introduced into schools,—and it is no easy matter to introduce — 
radical changes into national institutions. I do not intend to 
say much about that aspect of the matter. Several of our 
