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We have now had unequivocal proof of the existence of numerous fossil fish 

 in the Comstone group of the Old Red Sandstone of Herefordshire, for twenty 

 or thirty specimens were disinterred under our own observation, by the members 

 of this Society, in our last expedition to Leominster ; I cannot doubt therefore, 

 that, through the aid of the intelligent naturalists of that part of the county, we 

 shall, before another season has passed, be enabled to show such a suite of 

 specimens as would delight the eyes of Hugh MUler himself ; whUe by collecting 

 these ancient organisms, and sending them to some good palaeontologist — Mr. 

 Salter, for instance — for comparison with the Scotch ichthyolites, we may hope to 

 add something to the development of that analogy which exists between the Old 

 Red Sandstone groups of Scotland and Herefordshire. 



There is one circumstance, as President of your Society, which has given me 

 especial pleasure this day, and that is the kind and friendly manner in which the 

 well known botanists of Worcester have came forward to assist the Woolhope Club 

 in our kindred pursuits. These gentlemen have set us an example we shall do 

 well to remember in the cause of good feeling and scientific research ; and if the 

 naturalists of Herefordshire have at any time been inclined to flag in their own 

 efforts, let them call to mind that our Worcestershire friends have travelled 

 fifty miles to be present at our exploration this day. This is not the first time I 

 have had occasion to notice in public the untiring assiduity of the botanists of 

 Worcestershire ; but as the tale may be new to many brother naturalists on this 

 side of the Malvems I may be excused if I once again refer to the history. 



There is on the eastern flat below the Malvern Hills, a tract of land called 

 Longdon Marsh, celebrated as the habitat of several peculiar plants, as well as 

 for having been, within a recent geological period, a backwater of the marine 

 estuary of the Severn. The botanist gathers there Scirpus maritimus, Cnicus 

 palustris, and Lathyrus palustris, also the elegant Butomus umbellatus, or 

 Flowering rush. This marsh is I believe the only locality in Worcestershire for 

 the Lathyrus palustris ; and it was during one of the rambles of the Malvern 

 Club last season that Mr. Lees and Mr. ThackweU gathered some fine specimens 

 in full blossom. Well, gentlemen, this capture was recorded in the Worcester 

 Herald, and I believe, on the very day after the pubUcation of that report, four 

 of these ardent botanists posted from Worcester to Upton-on-Severn, and walked 

 all day in pouring rain up to their knees in Longdon Marsh. Alas however some- 

 times for botanical as well as for other human projects, they did not find the 

 Marsh vetch. 



Yet another botanical episode attaches to this delicate flower. Soon after 

 this expedition from Worcester, there was at Malvern a large and fashionable 

 flower show ; a great marquee was filled with the choicest and most gorgeous 

 plants of the neighbouring conservatories, and my friend Mr. Thompson of 

 Worcester was appointed the judge of the wild flowers that competed for Mr. 

 Dyson's prize. In a sodawater bottle, filled with water from its native haunt, 

 amongst the simple tenants of the wood and mead and mountain, was a little 

 metjJlic looking pea that so excited the ardour of our worthy friends that perhaps 

 no single flower at all that " gay and brUlant throng " excited more interest. 



