150 ANNUAL MEETING — PRESIDENT'S ADDRESS. 



THE PRESIDENT'S ADDRESS. 



I have first to congratulate the Union on the presence of Lord 

 Lilford, whose state of health it was feared would prevent his being 

 with us to-day. Happily the cause for the fear has been removed. 

 It was because of the anticipated unavoidable absence of the noble 

 and learned President of the Northamptonshire Natural History 

 Society that I rashly undertook the duties, for this year, of 

 President of the Midland Union of Natural History and Scientific 

 Societies. I need hardly make the same remarks of self-deprecia- 

 tion as my predecessors in this office, as I feel that it is impos- 

 sible that I should be mistaken for a man of learning; my 

 remarks will, therefore, be received for what they are worth, and I am 

 glad to say that on this, the third occasion of such a gathering as 

 the present, I have a less difficult, if not a more pleasing task to perform. 

 In fact, I think that I shall be justified in taking a slight retrospect 

 of the work already performed by the Union before passing to a con- 

 sideration of its future prospects, and the glorious capabilities of such a 

 splendid organisation as we possess. 



If I may borrow a simile from botany, I might compare the Midland 

 Union of Natural History Societies to a potato plant, which, green and 

 flourishing, fairly represents its condition ; each branch representing 

 a society, and, if you like, each leaf a member ; the flowers and fruit 

 to correspond to its useful publications, collections, catalogues, &c. 

 But under the surface we find the most useful fruits of all, viz. — 

 the solid benefits which each member of the Union derives from the 

 opportunities afforded for much useful and friendly intercourse, which 

 otherwise would not haveexisted. 



By means of this Union life-long friendships have no doubt been 

 formed, and are forming, among fellow- students of nature, and we must 

 bear in mind that an enlargement'of the circle of acquaintance necessarily 

 enlarges the useful sphere of action of a cultured mind. The advance- 

 ment of scientific knowledge among individuals has been rendered easier 

 and more certain, and the fact that the acquirement of such knowledge 

 is both a pleasant and an easy task has perhaps been brought home to 

 many. Another point is that, with a more extended knowledge of Natural 

 History and other sciences, a number of prejudices and old world 

 superstitions are being daily more successfully combated, and, as the truth 

 spreads, it has the effect of ameliorating the conditions of those orders of 

 life more or less dependent on the merciful consideration of mankind. 



To be more particular, it is satisfactory to observe that the Union is 

 gaining strength, and that the Societies that belong to it are now twenty- 

 three in number. I have been informed by the able editors of the 

 "Midland Naturalist," that that invaluable periodical is not in quite 

 such a flourishing condition, as regards circulation, as it ought to be, 

 which is a matter of regret. The circulation is extending among the 

 outside public, but the circulation among our Societies has fallen off some 

 150 copies monthly. As to the contents of the "Midland Naturalist," 

 they surely speak for themselves. 



