36 
oe 
Reminiscences of the Bath Natural History and 
Antiquarian Field Club. 
By F. Suu, F.S.A. 
These reminiscences naturally relate to the work accom- 
plished, and to the workers who joined the enterprise. 
Fifty years have elapsed since the first President (the Rev. 
Leonard Jenyns) suggested the work and initiated the Club. 
On a comparison of the earliest roll of members with the 
last, the melancholy fact faces us, that of the large number 
who then gathered around the amiable and distinguished 
founder only two or three remain; the great majority have 
passed away ! 
The main objects of study and research to which attention 
was invited by our chief were comprehended under the two 
headings of natural history and archeology, and these, as 
far as possible local, for the reason that in Bath and the 
neighbourhood a few of the most eminent botanists, geologists, 
and archeologists had been pioneers in these departments 
of Science. There was, moreover, a secondary motive arising 
from the fact that in this city have been discovered and care- 
fully preserved the most interesting relics and remains of 
ancient Roman buildings, coins, and art. 
The original members of the Club were successors of 
Falconer, Sibthorp, Stackhouse, Sir Richard Colt Hoare, 
Smith Townsend, and Babington, who flourished long before 
the era of field clubs. Foremost among the successors was the 
first President of this society, the Rev. L. Blomefield (formerly 
known as the Rev. L. Jenyns), who delivered the first address 
on its formation, and for many successive years the annual 
résumé of its Proceedings. It will be’ in the recollection of 
some members of our Club, the memorable occasion, the 19th 
November, 1891, when he read his last scientific paper, in the 
lecture room of the Institution, on ‘‘ The Distribution and 
Movements of British Animals and Plants.’’ Mr. Blomefield 
has shown to me his own reference to the event, copied from 
his private papers, ‘‘ Perhaps I am the only scientific man in 
England who ever gave lectures in his ninety-second year.” 
Other distinguished workers, and the earliest members, were 
Broome, Earle, Moore, Scarth, and Pumphrey. In reference 
to the work accomplished lack of space will not permit me to 
add much. I think it may be admitted that of late years 
the value of papers and the scientific interest in walks and 
