16 ANNUAL ADDRESS, MDCCCLXXI. 



more or less clearly what I am about to say. The sum 

 and substance of that is, that the club must become more 

 than heretofore an instrument of instruction. It may so 

 become by improved organization and arrangements of 

 the excursions, by amendments in the proceedings of the 

 evening meetings, and lastly, by supplementary measures 

 under the auspices of the club. More in the way of 

 demonstration may be attempted both in the case of 

 excursions and of meetings. In the excursions it would 

 be well to divide the party among several leaders, each 

 leader being able and willing to act as a teacher in one 

 or other department of natural science. We have among 

 ourselves men well versed in these departments, and I am 

 sure they will be willing to diffuse the information they 

 possess. 



Moreover, it is desirable to prepare the members before- 

 hand to take part in the scientific work that ought to be 

 the real end and aim of every excursion, and I would put 

 forward the suggestion that something in the way of 

 lectures, or at least of demonstrations, might be carried 

 out in connexion with the club and supplementary to it. 

 We have members qualified to give instruction in botany, 

 in zoology (including ornithology and entomology), in 

 geology and palaeontology, and also in archeology, and I 

 believe some plan might be devised whereby opportunity 

 could be afforded to those members to convey the instruction, 



I must crave your forgiveness for having so long 

 occupied your time with the preceding remarks on the 

 working of the club. How far my suggestions may be 

 likely to improve and advance the operations of the club 

 I leave to your decision ; but I am penetrated with the 

 conviction that some measures are needed to give increased 



