COMMITTER’s ADDRESS. 195 
All that moves this world above; 
Peace or war, the price of stocks, 
Railway shares, canals, or docks; 
Kingdoms quaking overhead 
Were to thee a letter dead. 
Toad of mystic, stoic soul, 
Cribbed within thy Permian hole, 
Much I marvel at thy lot, 
Buried in thy living grot! 
Had the great break up of time 
Roused thee from thy dreams sublime; 
Or, (short of final crack of doom,) 
Had’st thou but lived as long as Brougham, 
Savans of some unborn age, 
All bespectacled and sage, 
Would have rubbed their sapient eyes; 
Gaping on thee with surprise; 
Thought thee old as Noah’s flood, 
Batrachian of an early brood 
Born in Prehisteric term, 
Like some ugly Pachyderm! 
Oh! if we could shut up snug 
Knave and fool, hum-drum, and—bug, 
What a blessing that would be, 
Coffined all alive, like thee! 
II.—On the Flora of the South Durham Ballast Hills, by the 
Rev. A. M. Norman, M.A. 
IUJ.—On the varieties or species included in the Linnean Poly- 
gonum aviculare, by the Rev. A. M. Norman, M.A. 
Both these papers were illustrated by a large series of very 
beautifully dried specimens, including a complete set of the 
various forms of the Polygonum aviculare of Linneus described 
as distinct species, by continental botanists. 
Since the removal of Professor Oliver to Kew Gardens, 
botany has ceased to receive, at our hands, that attention to 
which it is entitled; Mr. Norman’s valuable contributions are 
therefore peculiarly acceptable, and will we trust, be followed up 
by others, as well as lead more of our members to take up this 
branch of science; and the conversation which followed the read- 
ing of the paper, showed that many are competent to do so. 
In responding to a vote of thanks for his services in the chair, 
VOwanV. 0) DN eile Y 
