74 
bourhood seems to be made quite subordinate to that of the 
Antiquities, if not well nigh neglected altogether. To you, Sir, 
who were one of the founders of this Club, which was originally 
started for the purpose of Botanical research, this comparative 
neglect of one of its first objects must be a source of regret. ‘The 
defect might perhaps be remedied if Members who take a special 
interest in Natural History and Geology would ascertain before 
hand that the candidates whom they propose for admission to the 
club are interested in one or other of these pursuits, and that 
their object in seeking admission is not merely to join in 
the weekly walks. It might also be a subject for future 
consideration whether it be not advisable to divide those 
who join the walks and excursions into sections, each under 
the direction of a member especially devoted to that section, 
whether of Natural History, Geology, or Antiquities. With 
these introductory remarks, which seem especially necessary 
to those who watch the welfare of the Club, let me at once 
proceed to summarise the proceedings at the evening meetings. 
The attendance during the last session at these meetings has much 
increased owing to a wise and liberal permission to attend 
granted to all the members of the Literary and Scientific 
Institution, and friends who may have a Rota presented to them 
which acts as a card of admission. This permission has been 
largely taken advantage of, and a fair audience has generally been 
the result. The usual conversazione on March 12th concluded 
the session of 1872-73, when several communications were made ; 
the first was by Mr. Emmanuel Green, on Samuel Crooke, 
Rector of Wrington, a man of considerable mark in his 
day (vide page 1); this was followed by the ‘Copy of a letter 
dated 22nd Aug., 1800, from Mr. Stephens, of Camerton, to Mr, 
Davis, of Longleat, on the subject of Diseases in Wheat,’ with 
‘Remarks by the President,’ communicated through the Secretary. 
Mr. Ekin and Mr. Goodwin took part in the subsequent 
conversation, which turned mainly upon the origin and remedy 
