Chapman in kis papers on Hylesinus and other wood-feeding beetles not only 

 added to our knowledge but made a valuable contribution to science. If these 

 papers have induced any of you to watch the habits of the insect world I am 

 sure you will feel grateful for having your attention directed to so interesting 

 a field of observation. For myself I know that during the past summer 

 watching these creatures has been the occupation of many a pleasant and 

 instructive hour. 



Mr. Houghton in his paper on the reproduction and developement of 

 animals discussed various questions, which are of surpassing interest at the 

 present time, from the light they throw on the changes and gradations which may 

 be traced in different organs, and between dilfereut classes of animals. I may 

 advert to a further subject which has long been disputed but which seems 

 to be rapidly gaining adherents, namely, the spontaneous origin of some of the 

 lowest forms of animal life. 



The productions of the vegetable world, existing as they do everywhere 

 in boundless profusion and in forms almost infinitely varied, have necessarily 

 engaged our attention on many occasions. We saw them in their grandest and 

 most enduring form in the magnificent oaks and other trees at Hampton Court 

 and Holme Lacy. Not the least valuable of our work is placing on record the 

 measurement of such giants, and directing attention to their most valuable 

 varieties and the conditions most favourable to their growth. Dr. Bull's paper 

 on the Elm tree in Herefordshire wiU also, I trust, have a lasting influence, by 

 directing attention to a crying want, that of planting avenues of trees in and 

 near our towns. 



Two plants have been added to the flora of the county, the Alyssum 

 Calycinum and the Cuscuta Hassiaca. The latter is of great interest, and has 

 been figured for our transactions. Mr. Lingen, who some years ago brought 

 before the club an interesting variation or reversion in the laburnum, sent U3 

 a still more remarkable specimen produced by budding the Jasmmum revolutum 

 with a variegated form of Jasminum officinale. This is so interesting with regard 

 to the variation of species that I would suggest it as a subject for further ex- 

 periment and investigation. Mr. Blashill's able and exhaustive paper on our 

 native food-producing plants, though showing how many good things are of 

 native growth, must have made us feel how meagre our bill of fare would be if 

 limited to native productions. Mr. B. M. Watkins's botanical stroll shows how 

 much remains to be done in making complete lists of the plants in the different 

 districts of the county, as published in our Transactions for 1866. 



The most noteworthy event of the year is the impetus which has been 

 given to the study and, I may add, the eating of Funguses. Dr. Bull's illus- 

 trations of Edible Funguses in the transactions of the previous year i^repared 

 the way, and his success at the South Kensington Exhibition, wliich we all felt 

 as a feather in the cap of the society, in addition to the plumes which decorated 

 his own, gave an ecldt to our Foray amongst the Funguses, which contributed 



