236 Fowler: Presidential Address to Lincs. Naturalists’ Union. 
which tidal rivers run, we may be able at some future time to — 
draw some interesting conclusions. 
In conclusion, may I be allowed to urge upon all collectors 
of natural history objects the necessity of making notes in 
writing as to the time and place of collection? It is possible to 
forget these particulars in a few years; or the specimens may 
pass into other hands, and without such notes become almost 
valueless. I myself know of collections of fossils, of insects, of — 
plants, which, in consequence of not being labelled, are all but — : 
worthless. If we have no information as to where and when | 
a specimen is gathered, its chief interest for us is gone. I hope ~ 
yet to see a County Museum, in which natural history objects _ : 
may be safely stored and arranged, and so made useful to the 
‘many instead of to the few. I am convinced that, if such 
a museum were provided, interesting objects in every branch of 
natural history would be forthcoming, which at present are held 
back, and without it may eventually pass out of the county in 
; 
Tonia pe eee notes are of the utmost value, ‘litera scripta 
t.’ In bringing my presidential year to an end, allow me ~ ie 
to thank my fellow-members of the Union, for their readiness to . eo 
give me information and to send me specimens, as also for their _ 
kind hospitality, without which it would have been difficult for — 
me to attend all the meetings during the year. Though my 
lot is cast in another county, I was born in Lincolnshire, and, = 
botanised in it between forty and fifty years ago. Since then, 
have generally spent my holiday in it, and always been 
knowledge of its natural history. So I hope I shall continue to 
be. And if, in consequence of parochial and other engagements, ~ 
I am unable to attend some of the meetings of the Union, I look _ 
forward to being present with you at others, and to keep alive — 
friendships which I so highly value. With advancing years, — 
dily activity must needs decrease, but this should not be the 
case with the mental and spiritual part of our nature. To know — 
more, and to be more, should be our aim, not thinking we know — 
all because we know something, and not thinking ourselves : 
perfect because we have made some advance. ‘We know — 
‘that which is ieticte is. ene eu that which is in ae 
shall ~~ done ecainide 
cies oe 
