306 



The Clubs that I hax'e named have already a certain bond of union iu the 

 reciprocal acceptance of the officers of each as honorary members of all. The path 

 is therefore open for a joint publication of the most valuable discoveries and 

 papers of each Society during the year, which might also include a list of the 

 whole of the places visited by each. The e.xpense of such a publication jointly 

 borne by the associated Societies would be but trifling, while the form of publi- 

 cation would enhance the character of the papers themselves and the importance 

 of the meetings in a general point of view. The very nature of Geological study 

 suggests such a co-operation, because its working out cannot, like the boundaries 

 of a county, be limited by any artificial line, but radiates through and across the 

 districts of several or all ; like the medullary rays which traverse the angular 

 rings in the growth of wood, connecting each year's deposit with the central pith, 

 and ensuring the united structure and solidity of the whole stem. 



But I would not be understood to speak too exclusively of our Geological 

 pursuits, though from its comparative novelty of research, and study, that science 

 has been allowed to occupy a prominent and almost exclusive attention from 

 many of the most active members of these Societies. We can hardly be too often 

 reminded that it is the special privilege of Field Clubs to study the secrets of 

 Nature, not as they are cut up by books into the jealous divisions of distinct 

 ' sciences,' but upon her own broad field where she is all one, aad, in a certain 

 sense, indivisible, the materials of every science being found in union with all 

 others. It is the limitation of our own faculties, not of anything in Creation 

 itself, which compels separation of pursuits and object, and subdivision, as it were, 

 into chapter and verse. This is more powerfully felt, though insensibly conveyed 

 to us, by one day out of doors, surrounded by men of science (however each may 

 have wisely compressed his studies into one channel), than it ever can be under- 

 stood from books themselves. 



There is, however, one class of out-door investigation which is of course an 

 exception to this remark, and does not strictly fall under the category of science, 

 but for which I would venture to say a word — I mean the study of Archaeology — 

 on this ground, that whereas the records afforded by the earth's geological struc- 

 ture aie permanent, and its botanical features constantly renewed ; those records 

 which tell of the hand of man claim our prompt and early attention on account 

 of the destructive hand of time, and the obliterating effects of the winter's frost 

 and summer's vegetation. 



Nature's monuments remain : while those of art follow the perishable hand 

 that reared them, and allow of no delay. The County of Hereford is unfortunate 

 in the want of a completed History ; and I confess that I should like to indulge 

 the hope that a Club which is so ubiquitous in its action and operations will not 

 omit to render its out -door labours as much as possible in union with the objects 

 of the Literary and Philosophical Society. " We are a Brotherhood for mutual 

 and self help " says Mr. Hayes in his address this year to the Severn Valley 

 Field Club, " and we should deem it a duty as well as a privilege to contribute 

 to the instruction of others, fully hoping to receive instruction in turn. The 



