83 



Geologist a greater variety of rocks and beds, with their 

 respective stores of fossils, than the flat secondary strata which 

 prevail eastwards. 



But however this may be, let the fact stand out before us 

 as an encouragement, to make the most of any advantages 

 we possess here at Bath in this respect, as well as to endeavour 

 to retain possession of the place we occupy in the history and 

 statistics of Field Clubs. 



There are one or two circumstances, I think, which may be 

 mentioned as affording some evidence of our Club being alive 

 and vigorous, and, to a certain extent, carrjang out the objects 

 for which it was instituted. I do not judge of its healthiness 

 from the mere number of its Members, for this is an uncertain 

 criterion — men joining it from very various motives ; but 

 when we look back upon the many years during which the 

 Club was content to take its weekly walks, without producing 

 anything in the way of results to lead the public to think that 

 we were a working body, and compare with the present state 

 of things, we see much advancement. We have not only for 

 two seasons previous to the present one had our winter 

 Evening Meetings for lectures, papers, and discussion on 

 scientific subjects, but last year we were able to lay before 

 the public the first number of our Proceedings in a printed 

 form ; by which I should hope that those who do not join us 

 either in the field or in our home gatherings have been 

 satisfied of our good intentions, and our desire, at least, to do 

 what we can for the advancement of the Natural Sciences in 

 this city, and especially towards gaining a better knowledge 

 of the Natural History and A.ntiquities of the Bath District. 



One good thing which has arisen, if I am not mistaken, 

 out of the weekly Excui'sions of our Club, is the circiunstance 

 of similar walks being now taken for exploring the neigh- 

 bourhood, during the Summer months, by the Members of 

 the " Widcombc Working Men's Mutual Improvement Asso- 



