1861.] TODMORDEN BOTANICAL SOCIETY. 217 



Stansfielcl, Sen., the worthy President of the Society took the 

 chair. 



We have much pleasure in again reporting to the readers of 

 the ' Phytologist/ the increasing prosperity of this excellent as- 

 sociation. The following abstract or summary of their proceed- 

 ings will, it may be confidently asserted, aiford much gratifica- 

 tion, not to botanists merely, but to all who are interested in the 

 progress of humanity in the ways of peace and charity. 



" Although, during the year, we have lost through death, re- 

 moval from the neighbourhood, and other causes, as many as ten 

 members, yet, with new-comers, the total number at present on 

 our books exceeds a hundred and fifty. 



" Of books our library contains 330 volumes, purchased at a 

 cost of from £150 to £200. 



" During the year, 700 volumes of books have been issued to 

 members, some of whom, as you are aware, living at a distance, 

 have the privilege of keeping books for three months ; a circum- 

 stance which ought to be taken into consideration in any estimate 

 of the working of our Society, as drawn from the number of 

 books circulated. 



" As usual, there have been many Excursions made during the 

 year. Of such of these excursions as our excellent Annalist may 

 have attended, he will no doubt have preserved a faithful record, 

 which he will have the pleasure of reading to you this evening. 



" Mr. Patman is a gentleman who grudges no labour in behalf 

 of the Society ; and this spirit of disinterestedness is the general 

 characteristic of our members, to which may be attributed the 

 flourishing condition of our financial aftairs. 



" Among the more notable features of the botanical campaign 

 of last season, may be instanced the discovery of the very re- 

 markable Lastrea niontana (or Oreopteris) Noivelliana, so named 

 in merited honour of our amiable and much respected Vice- 

 President. This extraordinary variety of the fragrant Moun- 

 tain Buckler-Fern, which was discovered by Messrs. Nowell and 

 Stansfield whilst on a botanical ramble in North Wales last 

 summer, is the more notable as so very few deviations have been 

 found hitherto, from the normal type of this beautiful Fern. 



" Our eminent Muscologists, Mr. Nowell and Dr. Wood, of 

 Manchester, have also had recently such success in their specialty 

 as has startled the whole Muscological world. I refer to the 



N.S. VOL. v. 2 P 



