24 Coiifcrciur of Dc/co-ti/cs. 



of recruits is furnished to the j^reat Societies in our three 

 metropolitan centres whose activities and resources excite the 

 admiration, even if not the envy, of our colIeai<-ues in scientific 

 research abroad. 



' In the first place it seems to me that some of the Societies — 

 especially the Field Clubs, which admit too many so-called 

 ' antiquarians ' — continually reduce their efficiency, and even 

 endaiii^'-er their existence as scientific bodies, by the luxurious 

 picnics which are misnamed 'excursions.' The excursion- 

 circulars of one Society, which I often see, particularly amuse 

 me. The hour of starting- is made sufficiently late to avoid the 

 discomforts of even moderately early rising- ; carriages are 

 arrang^ed for every possible part of the route ; at least an hour 

 is spent in an elaborate luncheon at some well-appointed 

 hostelry ; an hour and a half afterwards an amiable hostess 

 invites the party to tea ; and then, after inspecting- some old 

 building-, the direct return journey is begun. Natural history 

 forms an entirely subordinate part of the programme. I know 

 three Societies which have lost the co-operation of some of the 

 best naturalists in their district by frivolity of this kind ; and, 

 however tempting; the propect of multiplied subscriptions may 

 be, I do not think it is to the advantag-e of science for any 

 Society to increase its membership at the sacrifice of strict 

 attention to its main objects. Excursions are a most admirable 

 institution, but when intended for natural history should be as 

 systematically scientific as the meeting's.' 



The address was followed by an animated discussion, in 

 which it was shown that, at any rate, most of the Yorkshire 

 Societies were not guilty of the drawback pointed out by 

 Dr. Smith Woodward. Details of the discussion, as well as 

 of Dr. W. Martin's paper on 'The Law of Treasure Trove' 

 which followed, will appear in the Report of the Corresponding- 

 Societies Committee in due course. Following these papers a 

 visit was paid to the jNIuseum of the Royal College of Surgeon.*:, 

 where the Conservator, Mr. C. Stewart, described the more 

 interesting exhibits. 



On the following day Prof. G. S. Boulg-er introduced the 

 subject of 



The Prksi;k\-atio\ ov ovu Native Plants. 



He pointed out that ' Plants are in danger of extermination 

 from inevitable natural causes, such as the encroachments of 

 the sea and the increasing density of population, with its con- 

 Naturalist, 



