377 



ance of their local associates whose help they look for. All who may happen to 

 stray will, by reference to the printed route, be enabled to strike the line of 

 march without difficiilty. Alternative routes are, I think, very objectionable, as 

 tending to separate the party and dislocate the arrangements made for the plea- 

 sure and enjoj-ment of all. I think it very important, also, that whoever may be 

 good enough to set out an Itinerary, should limit the proposed operations within 

 moderate bounds ; for it is far more satisfactory and profitable in the end to 

 examine one or two localities thoroughly, than to hurry over interesting objects 

 for want of time to devote to them. 



There is one more suggestion I would offer for your consideration, in the 

 hope that it may lead to the better accomplishment of one of our main objects, 

 which I take to be to improve the general stock of information on all matters of 

 scientific interest belonging to our district. I would m:ge the Club to impress 

 upon every member the propriety of communicating any discovery that may 

 fall in his way in Geology-, Botany, or Zoology, to some central authority, to 

 whom the charge would be entrusted to report thereupon to the Club. The 

 best mode of carrying this into effect would, of course, be matter for your 

 discussion. 



Last summer, Dr. Bull was kind enough to transmit to me a specimen of a 

 very singular plant found by him near Hereford, the Xanthium spinosum ; in 

 return I sent him a curious plant found by myself near Abergavenny, the Blitum 

 virgatum. I shall not now describe these interesting plants, because I hope Dr. 

 Bull will kindly favour the Club with an account of them at his convenience. 



It now only remains for me. Gentlemen, to perform the sad task of re- 

 minding you of the loss we have sustained by the death of one of our oldest 

 members, who for many years evinced a deep interest in our prosperity, and 

 seldom failed, so long as health and strength permitted, to join our Field 

 Meetings, at which his cordial manner and polished conversation contributed 

 materially to the enjoyment of all who had the pleasure of his company ; I 

 allude to our old friend Mr. Bodenham, of Rother\vas. We shall see him no more 

 amongst us. Gentlemen, but I am sure we shall long remember him, and regret 

 that death should have deprived us of so valued an associate. 



Mr. Lingwood and Mr. Chandos Wren Hoskyns, who have been long promi- 

 nent and useful members of the Woolhope Club, have retired to the Continent. 

 In their case we may hope that the separation is but a temporary one — I 

 earnestly wish, as you all do, that they may speedily return with a renewed zest 

 for our interesting pursuits. Mr. Lingwood's services deserve a special acknow- 

 ment from us, for he was at all times most cheerfully willing to assist any of us, 

 from the stores of his extensive information, on all subjects of Natural Science. 



With warmest wishes for the success and prosperity oi the Club through 

 many future years, I now retire from a post of honour which I owe to your kind 

 indulgence, and from which I have derived unmixed pleasure and enjoyment. 



