KEY. T. knight's ADDRESS. 183 



of the river, and hence an uncertain and mutable station. Having 

 nearly reached Fireburn MiU, the party returned to Birgham, in order 

 that they might pay their respects to the Misses Bell, but they were 

 disappointed of that pleasure, as neither of those ladies was at home. 



The walk was now directed northwards to Ferney-rig Marsh, where 

 the only plant of rarity noticed was the GEnanthe PheUandrium. 



After dinner, the minutes of the preceding meeting having been gone 

 over, a list of plants new to, or of rare occurrence in Berwickshire, 

 found by Mr Hardy of Penmanshiel was read ; and the Eev. Mr 

 Cunningham gave orally a sketch of the early history of Professor 

 Eobertson, which he was requested to put upon paper for the use of 

 the Club. 



Specimens of Centaurea scabiosa, gathered at Sprouston, Eoxburgh- 

 shire, but on the very limits of the county, and close to Berwicksiiire, 

 were exhibited by the Rev. John Baird. 



Such is a slight sketch of the proceedings of the Society during the 

 last 3'ear, so far as the minutes of our worthy secretaries have made me 

 acquainted with them. And now, in conclusion, I trust I may be per- 

 mitted to express a hope that those distinguished members of the Club, 

 who were the chief instruments in bringing it into existence, and have 

 since continued its useful operations, will persevere in their interesting 

 researches. With respect to many amongst us, indeed, it may be said 

 that we are living on the labour of others — that the advantage is all 

 on our side, as we have as yet done nothing towards extending the 

 information of the Society : this we feel to be indeed too true. But 

 still we trust those gentlemen whose taste and talents qualify them in 

 an eminent degree for pu.rsuiug the object of the Club in a scientific 

 manner, will neither grudge us the pleasure we derive from the meet- 

 ings, nor the instruction we gather from their conversation. 



To them, however, there is every encouragement held out — in the 

 success of their labours hitherto, and in the wide and diversified field 

 which Nature has spread before them. We doubt not that in Natiiral 

 History, as in every other branch of science, much remains yet to be 

 explored, and who knows what fresh wonder it may be the lot of some 

 member of this little society to bring to light. But, however this may 

 be, the study of Natural History, and the pursuit of it in the manner 

 adopted by this Club, is not only a source of innocent and rational 

 amusement, but a useful and delightful exercise of our reasoning 

 faculties. And the great Creator of the Universe never spread his 

 works around us in such varied abundance that we should pass them 

 by without observation, or without endeavouring to draw from them 

 lessons of wisdom, and fresh motives to adoration and praise. He 

 seems indeed to have stored his works with treasures on purpose that 

 the mind of man might explore and' develope them ; and he seems ex- 

 pressly to have concealed many wonders from the view of his creatures, 



