164 DR. Clarke's address, 



discharges are to the body, giving it fresh elasticity and health ; and 

 a relaxation of a better character than what our meeting afforded, it 

 will not be easy to procure. The mind was set at ease, and the 

 imagination was left to roam, but not unchecked ; for, by the society of 

 congenial minds, and by the influence of the outward scenes, its wan- 

 derings was limited to objects all of a pleasing character, and that had 

 a direct tendency to lead it to the contemplation of the omniscience and 

 providence of our Maker, as made visible in these his lower creations. 

 That these are the results of our association is not imaginary ; — they 

 were shewn to be real not merely in the pleased contentment which 

 every member's countenance and conduct evidenced, but in the whole 

 tenor of the conversation that passed, — a conversation that knew no 

 pause — that went from theme to theme with every possible variety — 

 and yet, which never needed an apology to propriety, nor left a wish 

 that a word might be recalled." 



In these remarks I hope the Club recognise "the sweet Eoman 

 hand" — the genial spirit of our worthy Secretary Dr Johnston, de- 

 lighted to refer everything to the Deity, and looking abroad in Nature, 

 only to find evidences of his goodness. 



The next meeting took place at Lauder, June 13, when the only 

 members present were the ofiice-holders of the Club. Few objects of 

 interest presented themselves. The season had been ungenial, and 

 flowers and insects, those children of the Sun, appeared in slender 

 numbers. Dr Douglas explored a marshy hill about 2 miles to the 

 north-west, covered with natural wood, willows, oaks, and elms. To- 

 wards the summit, the juniper and great bill-berry were observed 

 sparingly. The banks of the Leader, above Lauder, seemed remark- 

 ably barren ; but in the gravelly channel of the stream, Lepidium 

 Smithii, a phenogamous plant, new to Berwickshire, was gathered 

 abundantly by Drs Johnston and Douglas. Salix Forbiana was the 

 only other rare plant gathered. The remoteness of Lauder, lying at 

 the western extremity of Berwickshire, sufiiciently accounted for the 

 scanty attendance of members ; and it was resolved that, in future, 

 without especial reason to the contrary, the stations should be fixed at 

 more accessible distances. 



In July, the Club assembled at Greenlaw. After breakfast, the 

 members proceeded to Greenlaw Moor, which, together with the ad- 

 joining boggy ground, occupied their attention during the day. The 

 following plants were gathered ; Lycopodium clavatum ; Genista 

 anglica, which had stood the winter's extreme cold unscathed, while 

 the apparently more robust whin had died under its severity ; Helioscia- 

 dium inundatum ; Habenaria viridis ; Hippuris vulgaris ; Hydrocotyle 

 vulgaris ; Polypodium dryopteris, fringing an old earth wall ; Listera 

 ovata ; Sphagnum acutifolium and obtusifolium, the latter only in 

 fruit ; Veronica scutellata ; Uredo Lini ; and several species of Carex, 



