280 pbesident's address. 



by the courtesy of Mr. Young, who also provided a guide, they 

 were allowed to wander " at their own sweet will." The wood- 

 land paths leading along the banks of the river, and disclosing 

 at each turn new and ever-changing combinations of rock, river, 

 and foliage, allured many as far as the " Crag" which terminates 

 the grounds of Hartford Hall. Here a streamlet courses through 

 a tiny ravine down to the river, and on its banks were gathered 

 by some of the party the oak fern and hart's tongue (Poly f odium 

 dryopteris and Scolopendrium vulgare). Amongst the more no- 

 ticeable plants found during the ramble were the globe-flower 

 (Trollius europceus) and the celandine (Chelidoniuni majus), and 

 the banks were everywhere gay with forget-me-not, woodruff, wild 

 hyacinth, broom, and gorse, and if not gay or fragrant, were at any 

 rate odorous with whole acres of garlic. A few members, instead 

 of following the downward course of the river, turned upwards 

 along its northern bank, a walk which, if not so tempting for its 

 beauty, is perhaps more productive to the naturalist, its open, 

 sunny banks and masses of dwarf brushwood affording ample 

 scope for the exertions of the entomologist and bird-nester. 

 The beautiful collection of dogs and poultry belonging to Mr. J. 

 Shorthose, of Hartford Bridge Cottage, attracted the attention 

 and admiration of many members. These are, I believe, un- 

 equalled in our district and probably unsurpassed by any private 

 collection in the kingdom : they have gained for their possessor 

 many valuable prizes. At five o'clock a sumptuous tea was 

 provided for the party by Mr. Shorthose, this being the more 

 acceptable as, owing to the recent closing of the two inns, it was 

 found impossible to arrange for refreshments in the usual man- 

 ner. The repast was served in a pretty tent close to the river, 

 and by the bountiful provision and assiduous attentions of host 

 and hostess, formed a most agreeable termination to the day's 

 proceedings. At its conclusion votes of thanks were passed to 

 Mr. and Mrs. Shorthose and to Mr. Young for their kindness 

 throughout the day. Eighteen new members were elected, and 

 two papers were read — 1. " On the Occurrence of the Trunk of 

 an Oak in the Boulder Clay,''' by Sir W. C. Trevelyan, Bart. 

 2. "Entomological Notes," by Thomas John Bold. 



