i5d 



Chapel was discovered some years ago, and is now preserved at Homme House, 

 in the parish of Much Marcle. 



The second meeting of the club at Ross was a very successful one, and the 

 members who were present followed the course of the Wye either by rail, on 

 foot, or by boat, visiting on their way the romantic scenery of Symond's Yat and 

 the Doward caves, and returning by carriage to Ross. 



Of the third meeting, at the Speech House, I can say nothing from my own 

 knowledge, as I was again prevented by illness from attending it ; but I was in- 

 formed that, though agreeable and successful in other respects, the arrangements 

 for dinner were defective. 



The programme of the fourth meeting was certainly not less attractive than 

 that of any of the other meetings, for it embraced both the park of Croft Castle, 

 and the height of Croft Ambery, but only a few members found themselves able 

 to attend the meeting. Those, however, who were able to do so, were well re- 

 warded for their trouble. The noble site of the old encampment on the Amberj', 

 the rich and varied landscape which its summit affords overlooking the Aymestry 

 district, so rich in geological interest, the woodland beauties of the park, and the 

 magnificent trees which in various parts it contains— oaks, chestnuts, larches, and 

 other trees of remarkable size, form, aud height ; all these elements, together with 

 the antiquarian interest belonging to the old Clmrch of Croft, collected together a 

 number of interesting objects which it would be difficult to find collected in any 

 other part of the county ; and, as the weather was favourable, I believe that the 

 party who composed the expedition enjoyed the excursion thoroughly. Of the 

 Fungus Foray I need say little or nothing, as the subject belongs so entirely and 

 so justly to our friend Dr. Bull, except to notice the paper which was read by Mr. 

 Ley, on that occasion, on the Mosses of Herefordshire, which showed so much in- 

 dustry and ability in its composition. 



And here my function for the day might properly cease ; but I must ask 

 leave to say a few words on a subject which, though not scientific, has a con- 

 nection with science ; and in which some of the members of the Club may perhaps 

 take an interest, and even exert a beneficial influence. I mean the process of 

 extinction which, for purposes widely different in themselves, is carried on largely 

 in the world, of objects of nature, both animate and inanimate, birds, animals, 

 and plants. It is carried on for purposes of a scientific kind, and also for pur- 

 poses which are rather the reverse of scientific. In the former class, what I have 

 to say is rather by way of warning than of condemnation ; and it amounts to this, 

 that the great increase which has grown up in the present day of interest in 

 natural objects, has led, and will, probably, lead still more extensively, to the for- 

 mation of collections of objects connected with the study of natural history. But 

 I would venture, with great humility, to ask whether there is not a danger of 

 excessive multiplication of these collections. Of course we ought to have museums, 

 both general and local, and to make them as complete as we can, and I know 

 well the intense delight which collectors feel in acquiring and possessing specimens 



