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Address to the Members of the Berwiclcshire Naturalists' Chib, delivered at 

 the Anniversary Meeting, held at Milljield, 18th September 1839. By 

 the Rev. T. Knight, Vicar of Ford, President. 



Gentlemen, 



I believe the rules of this Club, and the example of those who have 

 before been honoured with the office which I now unworthily fill, leads 

 you to expect from me, before resigning this chair, some account of 

 the transactions of the Society during the last twelvemonth; and this 

 I have much pleasure in proceeding to do, more especially as I shall 

 have to speak of the laboiu-s of others, not of my own. 



The last Amiiversary was held at Ford 19th September 1838, when 

 the following Members attended : Dr Clarke, President ; Dr Johnston, 

 Dr F. Douglas, Eev. T. Knight, Eev. John Baird, Mr Embleton, and 

 Mr Darling. Messrs. Blackden and Knight, jun. were present as 

 visitors. 



The day was clear and cloudless, and the party, after breakfasting 

 at the Eectory, sallied forth in high spirits to enjoy, from the hill 

 above the village, the extensive prospect, rendered peculiarly interest- 

 ing by the solemn towers of Ford Castle immediately below them, and 

 the more distant view of Flodden Field, — that spot so famed in History, 

 and so memorable — once the scene of deadly strife, and stained with 

 the best and bravest blood of two hostile nations, — now covered with 

 peaceful flocks and golden corn-fields. The ruder times of oui' fore- 

 fathers, thank Heaven ! have passed away ; and now parties, fi-om the 

 two countries, can meet for other purposes than that of bloodshed — 

 to contemplate and admire together the works of the Great Creator 

 and Father of them all. 



The first point to which attention was particularly directed was a 

 sandstone quarry, situated in Ford Hill, where numerous specimens of 

 Lepidodendron were observed, some in situ, lying in a nearly horizontal 

 position, but with a slight inclination to the south east. The Lepido- 

 dendron was surrounded by a ferruginous crust, which had partly 

 mouldered away, — The walk of the members thence was across Ford 

 Common, in the direction of Woodend copse. Gentiana campestris 

 was observed abundant^ on the Common, some specimens of which 

 were gathered in flower, which did not exceed half an inch in length. 

 At the top of the Hill, previous to entering upon the natural wood at 

 "Woodend, there is a peat-bog, where the usual denizens of such spots 

 were observed, but none of such rarity as to require a record here. 



Woodend consists of about 150 acres of natural wood, situated on a 

 declivity facing the north. The wood is mossy and full of springs. 

 Here was a large field for the obsei-ver of nature to explore. Plants, 

 insects, &c., were numerous The following among others were ob- 



