SIB, WILLIAM JAEDINE's ADDRESS. 105 



occurred in May and June, and wliicli was equally unfavourable to the 

 development of the flowers and foliage of many of our native and 

 generally hardy plants. But notwithstanding this unpropitious season, 

 from the sketch that I have just now read, you will have seen that 

 some subjects have been added to our Fauna, and some new plants to 

 our Flora, besides considerable additions to our local knowledge of the 

 district, within the boimdaries of oiu' range. 



But I have another subject on which the Club has my warmest con- 

 gratulations. Our little Proceedings tell more decidedly how much the 

 value of such an institution is esteemed. Humble as they seemed at 

 first, and printed and circidated without display, it must be gratifying 

 to us all, that they have been already quoted in works which bear a 

 high rank in zoology and botany, and that they may be now said to 

 hold a place in the literatu.re of the naturalist. Let me then entreat 

 you to continu.e your perseverance ; you have now to retain the emin- 

 ence you have gained ; much yet Kes before you, particularly in the 

 lower forms of our various departments ; there is abundance which 

 will bear to be re-examined, while one path, which was formerly 

 recommended in an admirable address from this chair, still stands 

 nearly clear, — that of the physiology and internal structure of the beings 

 and plants which we have already been attempting externally to 

 characterize. I would also hint at another object which the Club 

 might now endeavour to attain : You are all- well aware how much 

 Berwickshire is indebted to one of our number for the illustration of 

 its Flora, and it appears to me that if a sketch of a Fauna was made 

 out, including all the vertebrata and invertebrata, so far as the notes 

 in our possession would admit, that it would much facilitate the addition 

 of species as they were discovered, and would be a guide by which 

 members might direct their researches to the vacant parts, and finally 

 fill the gap in the natural history of the county. 



Leaving these hints for your consideration, it only now remains for 

 me formally to resign my seat to one whom I trust will prove a more 

 worthy successor, and I must express my regret that circumstances 

 should have compelled me to be so frequently absent from our meetings, 

 and to take so little share in the duties of the situation in which your 

 partiality placed me, and at the same time I would offer my acknow- 

 ledgments for your indulgence. From the time of my admission into 

 the Club, I have felt a lively interest in its prosperity, convinced that 

 if similar institutions were formed, we should soon learn, how much we 

 had to learn of the natural history of our county. Neither is their any 

 association more Hkely to lead to the discovery of objects of commercial 

 or individual importance, while they may attain a stiU higher end ; for 

 by bringing individuals to a peaceable and rational converse, they 

 point out what wiU ever become a healthy and useful recreation, — what 

 wiU gain upon the mind, and will be a wholesome relief from the more 

 severe studies incident to the necessary professions of the world j and I 



