1861.] WORCESTERSHIRE NATURALISTS^ CLUB. 219 



it cau be discussed with interest and animation. It is fervently 

 to be hoped and desired that these discussions are not sheer 

 logomachies, rather disputes about words than about reaUties. 

 For our own part we would rather hear or read Mr. Patman's 

 notice of new localities for rare plants, than peruse the most in- 

 genious speculations about their origin. The former are what 

 people CdiW facts, the latter are only fancies. 



This brief notice of an exceedingly well managed and econo- 

 mical Society, is published in our pages solely for the purpose of 

 showing how much good may be accomplished by a very small 

 pecuniary expenditure. The example of the office-bearers espe- 

 cially deserves to be commended and imitated ; the members get 

 their quid pro quo, i. e. the full value of their contributions, six 

 shillings per annum ; the officials get a barren vote of thanks for 

 their meritorious services. They are not mercenaries, nor ven- 

 dors of scientific information. 



We have dwelt longer than is our wont on this subject, not 

 indeed for the sake of eulogizing these good men, but in the 

 confident expectation that, following in their steps, similar socie- 

 ties, supported at small cost, say by annual payments of five 

 shillings, will be established in every town or even populous 

 parish in England. This is advocated and urged on botanists, 

 wherever two or three can associate, not so much for the sake of 

 science, as with the ulterior and higher object of making people 

 more intelligent, more liberal, and more charitable. In the 

 serious business of life, botany, like every other science, is only 

 one of the means employed for the attainment of noble ends ; and 

 these are to make mankind better and consequently happier. 



WOECESTEESHIEE NATURALISTS' CLUB. 



The first meeting of this Club of practical observers was held 

 on Wednesday last, the 15tli of May, 1861, at Malvern, when a 

 large number of members responded to the hospitable invitation 

 of Dr. Grindrod to breakfast with him at Townsend House. 

 After breakfast, the officers of the Club for the ensuing year 

 were elected as follows: — The Rev. David Melville, Rector of. 

 Great Witley, President; Rev. A. H. Winnington Ingram, 

 r.G.S., and Edwin Lees, Esq., F.L.S., Vice-Presidents; and 



