316 



and is one which there should not be much difficulty in realising; ; and certainly too 

 it would be a very great advantage if we could pleasantly, and without pedantry, 

 infuse a little more of the "scientific element" into our gatherings, and give 

 opportunity to many, who would be very glad doubtless to acquire some little 

 knowledge of the works of Nature if they could, to add to their knowledge and to 

 develop their tastes. 



I turn now to some details of what otherwise has distinguished the past 

 year. And here I must congratulate you on the long looked for appearance of 

 " The Flora of Herefordshire." So long ago as in the year 1801 I find it referred 

 to in his retiring address by Mr. R. W. Banks, who expresses his hope that it may 

 be iiublished, in part at least, during the year then ensuing. And now, after a 

 l)eriod of gestation extending, as I am told, over some thirty years, a work of real 

 and undoubted importance has at length come to the birth under the Club's 

 auspices. I am no botanist myself, but I am informed by those who are 

 botanists, that the book fully merits the description I have given of it, 

 and that it compares very favourably indeed with other books of a 

 similar description published elsewhere. And for my own part, when I 

 know it has had for years the patient labours of siich men of science as 

 the Rev. W. H. Purchas, and the Rev. Augustin Ley expended on its 

 production, I ain convinced that it must take its rank as a standard authority 

 on the subject on which it treats. It will be no matter of surprise that the pub- 

 lication of such a volume, issued moreover at the price at which it is to members 

 (if the Club, should have proved a somewhat severe strain on the resources of the 

 Ckib, hardly yet recovering themselves from the heavy subventions granted to 

 the " Herefordshire Pomona," which latter had amounted in all to the sum of 

 £440. I am glad, nevertheless, to be able to say that the financial arrangements 

 which your Central Committee were enabled, with your sanction, to make with 

 the publisher, have availed to reduce that strain to within tolerable limits. It 

 became necessary, however, to delay for a short time the appearance of another 

 volume of our Transactions, bringing down our record to the end of the year 188.5, 

 which otherwise was in a very forward state of preparation. The work of going 

 to press with that volume will now be iiroceeded with at once. The Editoi'ial Com- 

 mittee will be very grateful to any individual members of the Club who may be 

 disposed to undertake the providing of one or more apiece of the plates by which 

 the text of the Transactions will be illustrated. The cost of such plates is 25s. 

 each. Several such are already promised by the kindness of members. Another 

 matter of business claims a word from me. Prebendary Crouch bequeathed to 

 the Club a collection of Mosses made by him during his life time, and one of 

 Geological specimens, fossils, &c., of much value. Neither these, nor the Her- 

 barium, presented some time ago by Mr. Ley, and at present lying hidden in one 

 of the cupboards of this room, can be of the practical utility that they should be, 

 for the very simple reason that we have no space, or other convenience, at our 



disposal in which to display them — 



" Small is the worth 

 Of beauty from the light retired ; 

 Bid them come forth.' 



