199 
orchis,” as called by Hooker, and found “amongst decayed leaves,” 
it had been quite accidentally introduced along perhaps with 
vegetable manure of some kind attached to, or purposely brought 
in with other foreign plants. It may be mentioned in connection 
with such a circumstance that in the appendix to the “Student’s 
Flora” a few other plants are mentioned which have not been 
met with in the British Islands more than once. 
Leaving now all further consideration of particular plants, I 
conclude my Lecture with a few general remarks. We have seen 
how, from various causes, our British Flora is yearly undergoing 
changes; howsomespeciesare slowly dying out, while new ones imper- 
eeptibly creep in to take their places. Now a register of such 
changes should be kept as far as circumstances allow; and it is a 
subject which of all others, it belongs especially to the Natural 
- History Field Clubs to investigate. So far back in time as 1834, 
I brought this subject under the notice of the Berwickshire 
Naturalist’s Field Club—the parent of all the many Field Clubs 
that have since been started—at one of their Anniversary dinners, 
to which I had the honour—in company with my friend the late 
Mr. Yarrell—of being invited. The same subject has been more 
prominently brought to the front of late years by the British 
Association, and discussion, as well as correspondence relating 
thereto, has taken place at their annual meetings. Are there no 
botanists in Bath who will give their attention to the matter, and 
lend a helping hand in the interests of science? Is there no one 
member of our own Club present in this room, who, at the 
request of the British Association—I may add at the request also 
of their president—never likely to address them again—will note 
and register the blanks and additions observable in our local 
Flora from time to time—a pleasant object one would think, 
during the spring and summer months, for a weekly walk or 
excursion.—Verbum sapienti sat est. 
4 
