1 1 4 Lincolnshire Notes & Queries . 



of the genus Masdevallia^ a group found only in Central and 

 South America, chiefly in mountainous regions and often 

 at a great elevation. The book is especially valuable for the 

 large number of hand-coloured plates (eighty-seven) of the 

 natural size of the plants, lithographed by Miss Woolward, and 

 all drawn by her from nature, with the exception of seven 

 species, of which drawings were sent to her by botanists 

 residing in the country which is the habitat of the plants. 



From the various reports which you have heard read you will 

 have gathered a fair idea of the work taken in hand by the 

 Union, and also of the work which it may be expected to 

 accomplish in the future. The excursions to Grantham and 

 neighbourhood, to Bourn, and to Great Cotes were well 

 attended, and the best thanks of all the members are due to 

 Mr. and Mrs. Cordeaux for their kind hospitality on the last 

 occasion. These excursions, however, though most enjoyable, 

 are rather pleasant meetings than opportunities for obtaining 

 great results. This, I take it, is as it should be. The object 

 of a Union like ours is to interest as large a number of people 

 as possible in natural history, geology, and kindred studies, and 

 such an interest is far better promoted by friendly gatherings such 

 as these, with a semi-scientific flavour about them, if we may 

 use the term, than by insisting upon the Union being placed 

 entirely upon a scientific basis. It is from the efforts of small 

 bodies of specialists, or even of individuals, within the Union 

 that real scientific results may be expected, and we certainly 

 have excellent examples of these efforts in the geological 

 excursions conducted by Mr. J. H. Cooke, which ought, 

 however, to have been more largely attended ; and in the 

 formation of a Boulder Committee, with the Rev. W. 

 Tuckwell as secretary j and, above all, in the formation of the 

 nucleus of a County Museum. 



The mention of the Museum brings me to what is, I feel 

 sure, the most important part of my address. The great 

 object which the Union ought to set before itself is the 

 establishment of a Museum worthy of the traditions of the 

 county. The present rooms, although hitherto they have 

 excellently served their purpose, are fast becoming quite 

 inadequate. There can be no doubt that there is a strong 

 feeling in the county that such a Museum ought to be 

 established, and we feel confident that its establishment is only 

 a matter of time. Should not the Union, then, do all that it 

 can to hasten it ? It is a building that is chiefly required ; as 



