t)R JOHNSTON S ADDRESS. 



li 



perfect segment of .a circle ; and so, also, if a specimen is placed in the 

 botanic box, you will in a short time find that the leaves have curled 

 themselves backwards, and now conceal the root by their revolution. 

 Now, the butterwort is a very common plant ; yet I am not aware that 

 this fact of its irritability has been ever mentioned. 



Geology. — In illustration of the geology of the county, a very elabor- 

 ate paper was read to us, at an early meeting, by our zealous colleague, 

 Dr Thomson. He has described, in a clear and interesting manner, 

 the geological structure of the parishes of Eccles, Greenlaw, Polwarth, 

 and Longformacus ; and thus has made a valuable addition to the 

 sketch of the geology of Berwickshire which Mr Baird has given in the 

 introduction to my Flora, and which had more peculiar reference to 

 the eastern parts. I feel myseli unqualified to estimate the merits of 

 this paper ; nor is it necessary to enter into any analysis of it here, 

 since it has been printed in the last number [September 1832] of the 

 Magazine of Natural History. 



Such, Gentlemen, is a rapid indication of the results of our first 

 year's exertions ; and, in my opinion, they do not discredit, but rather 

 justify, the expectations of those who moved the institution of this 

 Club, which, I doubt not, will work still more efficiently in fviture years. 

 But, when I estimate the advantages of our association by the acquisi- 

 tions it has made to the natural history of the county, I do it great wrong ; 

 for I hold it to be more useful, as affording a point of rendezvous for 

 the naturahsts of the district, where they may cultivate a mutual ac- 

 quaintance ; where they may talk over their common pursuit and all 

 its incidents ; where they may mutually give and receive oral informa- 

 tion ; where each may nourish his neighbour's zeal ; where we may 

 have our "careless season," and enjoy "perfect gladsomeness ;" and, 

 assuredly the good feeling and hiimour which have hitherto character- 

 ised, and will continue to characterise, our every meeting, vindicate 

 me in assigning, as the distinctive character of this Club, its social 

 character. 



I cannot, I must not, conclude this address, without an expression 

 of, I trust, o^xr united gratitude to the Preserver of all and the Giver 

 of aU good. That fatal disease which has walked over the length and 

 breadth of the land, with fear in its front and mourning in its rear, 

 has not left this county altogether unvisited ; and we cannot yet think 

 of its ravages in the place where we are now assembled, without deep 

 feelings of pity for the loss sustained by the survivors, and without 

 gratitude that here its desolating coiu'se was stayed.^ No member of 

 the Club has been removed by death ; neither has misfortune visited 

 any of us, save only one, who has been afflicted with a severe and 

 lingering sickness, and has, in consequence, been hindered giving us 



^ A very few cases of Cholera subsequently oceui-red in different parts of 

 Berwickshire ; and the disease visited Berwick, Tweedmouth, and Spittal with 

 considerable severity. 



