188 COMMITTER’S ADDRESS. 
The following short papers were read by Mr. Mennell, yiz:— 
I.—Algological Notes, by George S. Brady. — 
II.—Botanical Notes, by John Hogg, Esq., M.A., F.R.S., &c. 
The President then read a very brilliant and entertaining paper. 
entitled ‘“ Obituary Notices of a Toad, found in the Limestone 
Rock at Bishopwearmouth.” The members will recollect that 
this animal occupied much of the attention of the last Marsden 
meeting, and in his paper, Dr. Johnson reviewed the history of 
the case, and related how grievously, in many ways, the reptile 
had disappointed its friends and admirers. For instance, it had 
turned out to be a frog, (frogs we believe, are never even said to 
be immured for countless ages in solid rock). It had opened its 
mouth and eat, (it will be remembered that when first introduced 
to our notice, it had no mouth, the want of use for that organ 
having on Darwinian principles obliterated it), so that feature, or 
(as Mr. Robson pointed out), more correctly, that absence of 
a feature no longer existed. It had not only eaten, but had eaten 
with avidity, and evident recognition, a common house fly of the 
present day, and not a fossil Permian fly, the digestibility of 
which it ought alone to have been acquainted with. 
Mr. E. C. Robson followed in an amusing speech on the pro- 
bable reflections and cogitations of the animal during its long 
imprisonment, and the motives which led it to seek retirement 
and seclusion. 
Tn this case, as in all others of a like character, careful sifting 
of the particulars detects flaws in the evidence, or exposes the 
incorrectness of the story. 
An adjournment to the caves, which were lighted up with bon- 
fires, followed, and then a moonlight walk homewards closed the 
day’s enjoyment, and with it, the out-door campaign of the year. 
The indoor gatherings commenced with an Kveninc Mrnrine 
held in Neweastle, on Thursday, the 6th December, 1861. 
About fifty members, and a number of ladies were present, and 
the President occupied the Chair. 
The papers read, were as follows. 
I.—On the Effects of the Severe Winter of 1860-61 on Hver- 
green Vegetation, by Ralph Carr, Esq. 
