peesident's address. 2.97 



compared notes as to what we had each seen and done, let us 

 hope that our large numbers, while they lessen comfort, indicate 

 a more widely spread interest in the study of nature. Unfortu- 

 nately in a neighbourhood such as is a large portion of our Club 

 district, where there is much manufacturing enterprize, nature 

 suffers in many respects ; the smoke from many manufactories, 

 and the noxious gases from others, much injure the vegeta- 

 tion, and the large population brings much persecution to the 

 animal kingdom, especially to the birds, the continual shooting 

 about the lanes and sea-coast, and indeed wherever there is no 

 game preservation, especially at such times as Christmas and 

 New-year when the numbers of idle men and careless boys vfith 

 guns renders a walk a matter of some peril ; and although the 

 bill at present before Parliament, for the preservation of the sea 

 fowl, is in most respects worthy of support, especially when re- 

 lieved of the unnecessary clause about the eggs, I cannot help 

 thinking that a tax levied on every one carrying a gun would go 

 a long way to abate the evil, and at all events if it failed in this, 

 it would raise a respectable sum for the revenue. It is no doubt 

 true that gamekeepers do sometimes shoot harmless birds from 

 ignorance and nearly exterminate some kinds, such as hawks, 

 ravens, &c., yet the naturalist should remember that the preser- 

 vation of game does indirectly extend protection to a number 

 of other birds. In conclusion, I have to apologize for not having 

 brought anything before you in the shape of new discoveries or 

 views of my own : I cannot lay any claim to be an authority on 

 any branch of Natural History, but my studies for many years 

 lay amongst sciences having more or less dii'ect bearing on it, and 

 I had intended to have brought some subject before you which 

 might have possessed an interest for naturalists, but I must 

 honestly confess that I put off until circumstances prevented 

 its execution in time for this meeting. 



