xii Introduction. 



ample scope for every member to obtain knowledge and 

 delight in the many paths of science, and it will be indeed , 

 strange if, in improving ourselves, we do not contribute our 

 little mite to the vast store of knowledge which the patient 

 labour of many ages has been gradually accumulating. The 

 opportunity is ours ; it will be our own fault if we fail to use 

 it. Let us think of the memorable words of John Ray : — 

 ' Naturae divitise plane sunt inexhaustse, nee cuiquam post 

 mille secula nato deerit quod scrutetur, et in quo se cum 

 laude exerceat.' 



