158 



morphism, which, in connection with his close researches into the 

 fertilisation of plants by insect agency, have done so much to 

 advance our knowledge of the structure of the reproductive organs 

 of plants, their interaction, and the conditions necessary to insure 

 their functional success. I might go on to speak of other instances 

 in which small facts, or thought to be small when first noticed, 

 have led in the end to gi'eat results. I might dwell on the extent 

 to which our knowledge of the early history of man (or rather of 

 man as he was before any true history existed) has been carried, 

 since the first finding of a few flint implements in the brick-pits at 

 Hoxne, now so many years ago, or mention how in certain cases 

 the discovery of a coin, an incised stone, or old inscription in some 

 obscure church or other building, has thrown light upon an 

 important question in Archeology. 



But the time will not allow me to go more into details on these 

 matters. I must conclude, Gentlemen, with hoping that the re- 

 marks which I have made, few and hasty as they have been, may 

 prove useful to some of you. It rests with you to collect such 

 facts as I have been speaking of in this address, and in proportion 

 to the diligence with which you seek them out will be the fruits 

 gathered. Unable any longer to join you in the field, I can only 

 wish you God-speed in all your explorations and researches. Let 

 not your zeal abate, nor your energies tire, till you have hunted up 

 every fact that may tend to illustrate the Natural History and 

 Antiquities of this neighbourhood. If at any time inclined to 

 regard the field you are traversing from week to week as exhausted, 

 as having nothing more of new to offer, nor anything of the old 

 that needs further looking into, then remember Gilbert White 

 and his remark, after forty years' exploration of Selbome Parish, 

 with which I began my address. Gentlemen, we have as yet been 

 associated as a club for only fifteen years. Let the full forty pass 

 by before we ask what is there more to be done. If the time 

 permitted, I could teU you of some parts of the field which we 

 have marked out for ourselves that have hitherto been altogether 

 untrodden by any of us ; — of much still remaining to be done for 

 the interests of science, and not less for the honour of Bath, whose 

 name stands out so prominently in connection with that of our Club. 



