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But who among our members now, except our President, studies the wonderful 

 records of the rocks, and challenges them to reveal their secrets ? Yet, it may 

 confidently be asked, what district is there in our conntry where geology may be 

 better studied than in this country ? Then again where are our botanists, and 

 what are they doing? We know that the Rev. Augustin Ley has done, and is 

 doing, splendid work, but I fear other workers in this department of science 

 might almost be counted upon our fingers. May we not also appeal to our 

 entomologists for some more of their fascinating papers ? I have not read any 

 transactions of our Club with more pleasure than those which Dr. Chapman con- 

 tributed. May we not hope for more of them ? Last year I asked our talented 

 friend. Dr. Wood, to favour us with an article — and we all know how thoroughly 

 competent he is to write one, which would be as instructive as it would be 

 interesting — but his professional engagements prevented him. I should like to 

 hear a series of papers read on the interdependence of the floral and the insect 

 world. We have members who could write them without difficulty ; gentlemen 

 who are both botanists and entomologists. Very few know, or even suspect, 

 how important flowers are to insects, and how much flowers themselves are 

 dependent upon insects. I remember reading somewhere "that insects might be 

 called the marriage-priests of the floral world." The simile is a happy one. It is 

 mainly through them that our world is adorned with tens of thousands of objects 

 which gladden the eye with their beauty, and regale the senses with their fragrance. 

 I am sure if some of our members would take this subject in hand they would add 

 to their own pleasure, while they enlightened us, and they would elicit the grate- 

 ful acknowledgments of the Club. 



I have ventured to make these observations because I have a feeling, which 

 is shared by others, that we have rather wandered from the original constitution 

 of our Club. Instead of rooks and f)lants, insects and reptiles, beasts, birds, and 

 fishes, we have of late years given prominence at our meetings to the study of 

 churches, camps, and old buildings. I do not object to a fair proportion of 

 archaeology, but I would suggest a return to the old lines. Natural science should 

 be our main study. By patient, persistent, and accurate research we should 

 investigate the natural phenomena and objects by which we are surrounded. The 

 majority of our members are probably inquiring observers rather than trained 

 naturalists, but in a Club like ours both classes are brought together. There is the 

 friction of mind upon mind ; questions can be asked ; information can be com- 

 municated ; light and instruction can be imparted, and mutual advantages are 



derived. 



And what delights can equal those 

 That stir the spirit's inner deeps, 

 When one that loves but knows not, reaps 

 A truth from one that loves and knows ? 



It only remains for me to express ray cordial thanks to the members for the 

 kindness and considerateness they have shown to me, and the loyal support they 

 have all rendered to me during the past year. I earnestly hope and sincerely 

 believe that the prosperity and success which have been so marked a feature of the 

 history of the Woolhope Club in the past will be continued in the future. 



