2 



So far, our efforts have been individual ones, and isolated and 

 spasmodic : now, as a united band and numbering specialists in 

 various branches, we shall become a representative body having 

 a local habitation and name, and have much greater facilities 

 for an exchange of opinion and for the proper collection and 

 diffusion of facts. It must not, however, altogether be inferred 

 that nothing has hitherto been done by the sons of Lincolnshire 

 for the increase of physical science ; indeed, we have just cause 

 of pride to see in our roll of honour such names as Isaac Newton, 

 of Woolsthorpe ; Matthew Flinders, of Donington ; John Frank- 

 lin, of Spilsby ; Joseph Banks of Revesby Abbey ; and more 

 recently, Charles Anderson, of Lea. Of those now living, either 

 within or without our boundaries, who are doing good work it 

 would be invidious to make direct personal mention ; sufficient 

 is it to say that we include amongst ourselves all that is both 

 necessary and capable for making this Union a great and a 

 lasting success. 



Lincolnshire is the second largest county in England, its total 

 length being 75 miles by 48 in breadth, and containing 1,777,879 

 acres, 85 per cent, under cultivation. The surface presents a 

 very considerable diversity of character, sea-coast, marsh, wold, 

 moor, heath and fen, and some very considerable woodlands 

 with much pleasant and typical scenery without anywhere 

 rising into the grand and strikingly picturesque. 



The county is not readily divided into what are called faunal 

 areas — that is, districts more or less compact, with well-defined 

 boundaries, between which — one or the other — faunal distinc- 

 tions can be clearly established. In taking a general survey of 

 the whole area it appears capable of being irregularly divided 

 into at least six fairly marked districts, these are — 



I. — The Marsh and Middle Marsh — which is the whole of the 

 great alluvial flat which lies between the east coast and 

 the foot of the chalk wolds, as far as Spilsby. 



II. — The Fens — south of Spilsb}' and Wainfleet and east of 

 Biliinghay, Heckington, Bourn, and Market Deeping, 

 with a branch extending westward of the Witham to 

 Lincoln. 



III.— The Chalk Wolds. 



