Transactions. 67 



been issued ; but I gather from its pages quite enough to enable 

 me to congratulate you heartily upon the work which has been 

 done in archajological research, as well as in many of the branches 

 of natural history. As to archieology, it would indeed be 

 " passing strange " if we who have our home in this charming 

 district, teeming as it is with monuments of the past, could go on 

 our way all heedless of such relics, which, silent though they be, 

 speak to us in " language more eloquent than words " of days and 

 deeds which but for them Avould have been for ever buried in 

 oblivion ; but, fortunately, there are among us those who have 

 taken care to see that treasures such as these are not ignored. I 

 read with much pleasure in the Transactions alluded to several 

 interesting papers on this subject, especially those communicated 

 by Mr Wilson and Mr Coles. 



Passing on to natural history, botany would seem to hold a 

 first place in the estimation of our members. This is not surprising, 

 and fall advantage has evidently been taken of the lavish manner 

 in which Flora has bedecked this district. In geology and 

 mineralogy I understand that good work has been done. Zoologists, 

 too, have not been idle, and here I must not omit to notice a very 

 interesting and able communication by Mr Armistead on 

 " Atmospheric and other Influences on the Migration of Fishes," 

 a subject Avhich has not hitherto received the attention it 

 deserves. The insecta have been well looked after, especially by 

 Mr Lennon, whose unwearying zeal and energy in his favourite 

 pursuit called forth my admiration, if I mistake not, so long as 

 thirty years ago, and if he has continued until now to be as 

 unrelaxing in his effort as he then was, it must be a very cunning 

 species which has eluded his searching eye. 



And now a word about the moUusca. It is much to be 

 regretted that the study of these creatures has, in this district, been 

 hitherto greatly neglected. If they are looked down upon with con- 

 tempt by those who know but little about them, it ought to be 

 remembered that nothing which the Almighty has seen fit to 

 Jk create can possibly be unworthy of our contemplation. To those, 

 B however, who would wish to make amends for neglected oppor- 

 H tunities there is the satisfaction of knowing that a new field for 

 H research lies open before them in this locality, and to me it has 

 ^1 always been a source of intense pleasure, so far as natural history 



