1852. 



eSoolljopc Jiatnralists' field ffiltrb. 



From the "Hkueford Times," 22nd Mat, 1852. 



It has long been a subject of regret to the lovers of natural history and its 

 kindred science of geology, that Herefordshire, although so situated as to promise 

 a rich field of invastigation, has been left almost unexplored, save l>y isolated 

 observers, unaware of each other's labours, and therefore unable to prosecute the 

 investigation comprehensivelj'. The delightfnl "Natural History of Selborne," 

 a book which hivs perhaps done more to spread a taste for natural history than 

 any other ever written, is at once an instance liow much matter of general 

 interest can be collected within the compass of a single parish, and a guide to the 

 mode in which the investigation of nature may be conducted. Its publication has 

 been the means, doubtless, of enabling many other persons to commence the 

 observation of nature under more advanbvgeous circumstances, because it gives 

 them facts to start from ; and thus puts them in possession of the results of the 

 Author's labour. For want of some such knowledge of each other's progress, 

 visitors to the County — although men of immense general knowledge and habits 

 of observation— have been left in ignorance of local circumstances which might 

 have proved to be of immense value in tlie education of principles ; while the 

 County itself, although possessing in almost every parish a scene of far greater 

 natural beauty than Selborne, and probably greater wealth in a botanical, a 

 geological, a conchological, or a naturalistic view, can scarcely be said to be 

 known at all, even to its inhabitants. By way of indicating the extent of the 

 fit^ld of observation, in one department alone — botany^we may point to the 

 subject of the prizes for wild flowers offered in connection mth the Hereford 

 Horticultuial Society. It will be seen that a mere list of the common plants of 

 this County, which are in flower at the present time, number 130 species. A 

 vigorous attempt is now being made to extend the knowledge of Herefordshire 

 among its inhabitants ; and if it only meet with the support and co-operation 

 which it deserves, great advantage will be conferred, not only upon the County 

 itself, by opening up to its inhabitants wide and ever fresh sources of instructive 

 amusement, but also upon the stiite of the naturalistic sciences generally, in the 

 accumulation of new facts, or the confirmation or rejection of existing hypotheses. 



The impetus to this very gratifying movement was given by a conversation 

 which arose on the occasion of a recent visit and lecture of the Rev. W. S. 

 Symonds, Rector of Pendock, Worcestershire, to the Literary, Philosophical, 

 and Natural History Institution of this, his native City, in speaking of the 

 eminent success of the Cotteswold, Tyne-side, and Berwick Field Clubs, in 

 developing the fauna and flora of their districts. The hint to "do likewise" 



