AN HISTORICAL SKETCH. 143 



the day were auspicious. It seemed as if Nature herself 

 was smiling on our prospects and inviting us to her study 

 and acquaintance, the lovely Hepatica and pure Sangui- 

 naria were blooming under our feet, and assisted to adorn 

 our tables." After dinner a stroll was taken in the woods 

 and fields, and among the plants gathered was a fine spec- 

 imen of Blood Eoot (Sanguinaria Canadensis) which 

 was taken up with a spade, and upon our return to the 

 hotel it was placed on the middle of the table with a 

 newspaper under it, when we pledged ourselves to sustain 

 the Essex County Natural History Society and promote 

 its interest. 



To carry out this intention, the several persons who 

 were known to be interested in the study of any particular 

 branch of natural history were requested to bring for- 

 ward to the field meetings such specimens as they pos- 

 sessed or might find in their rambles. All through those 

 early days of the society our pledge was well kept, not- 

 withstanding the laughter noticed on the countenances of 

 some persons when told we were posy-seekers and bug- 

 hunters. But neither the sneer of the unthinking nor 

 "the world's dread laugh" for a moment deterred us 

 from going forward in the study of the natural history of 

 the county of Essex. Farmers and gardeners have since 

 derived important knowledge from the labors of ento- 

 mologists, and in consequence of the constant increase 

 of injurious insects it has now become necessary to make 

 entomology a study for the preservation of our crops. 



The love of flowers, their study and cultivation, have 

 greatly increased in these fifty years. Flowers are now 

 used at most public meetings and gatherings and are seen 

 in churches. They are now profusely used at the burial 

 of the dead, when fifty years ago the only plant you would 



