22 



Have we not the answer, in part at least, to these questions, 

 in what has been stated in this room this evening 1 



The Naturalist's researches are not always profitless even to 

 those who are most inclined to hold them in cheap estimation. 

 In many cases, too, the world has the advantage of discoveries, 

 while wholly ignorant of those who made them, and not over 

 solicitous to inquire to whom it is indebted for a large share of 

 the good fortune it enjoys. 



No acknowledgment was ever made to Professor Henslow for 

 the benefits conferred by him on agriculture in the way we have 

 described ; and probably very few of those who reaped, and who 

 are still reaping those benefits, have the slightest idea with 

 whom they originated. 



This, however, mattered nothing to him. It was not his 

 habit to work for reward or for the sake of being known. The 

 fruits of his researches he gave freely to the world. He was 

 satisfied with having made a useful discovery, and it was no 

 sooner made than he at once gave it the widest circulation in the 

 local papers, without reservation of any kind, not looking foi 

 recompense here, "but casting his bread upon the waters," in 

 the belief that he would " find it after many days." 



And this whole subject is not altogether without a local 

 bearing, though the details into which it has led us have no 

 connection with this neighbourhood. We here assembled are 

 a Field Club instituted for purposes of scientific research in the 

 district round Bath. This is the last occasion of our meeting in 

 this room for evening entertainment and instruction this present 

 season. The winter is past, and our members will soon be going 

 on their summer excursions, each to glean what he may find to 

 interest him in that particular department of inquiry to which 

 he devotes himself. 



Let none of us think our time thrown away, or our attention 

 misdirected, while carrying on our respective investigations. 

 We want a large number of facts to construct a theory, or even 



