president's address. 523 



along the shore they were courteously conducted by Dr. Philip- 

 son over that admirable and useful institution, the Prudhoe 

 Convalescent Home, with the order and comfort of which they 

 were much struck. After this they sauntered along to the 

 Island, where tea was provided. An interesting paper was 

 afterwards read by Mr. H. Adamson, solicitor, North Shields, 

 relating to St. Mary's Island. He referred to the church which 

 once stood there, and which he stated to have been an offshoot 

 of the old Abbey of Tynemouth, but of which no vestige now 

 remains. The only guide to the sacred spot where the ancient 

 chantry stood, is a little inlet in the rocks, where the fishermen 

 still run for shelter when caught by the storm, known by the 

 name of St Mary's Bay. 



Tradition tells, that in the sanctuary, a lamp always burned 

 to warn the passing mariners. In the tower hung a bell, which 

 was rung to summon aid in case of wrecks upon the coast ; and 

 a cemetery was attached, wherein the bodies of the victims of 

 the storm were buried ; and in which interments took place till 

 about a century ago. 



The pleasant excursions of the year were thus brought to a 

 close j and, although they may partake rather more of the nature 

 of pic-nics, than of strictly scientific explorations, they certainly 

 present exceedingly favourable opportunities and inducements for 

 healthy exercise, and association with what is instructive and 

 beautiful in creation. 



The view entertained in America, of such meetings, may be 

 gathered from the following extract from the "American Natura- 

 list" (quoted in "Nature," Vol. IV., p. 307):— "Among the 

 signs of the scientific life of the present day in America, one of 

 the most encouraging is the increasing frequency and enthusiasm, 

 of those delightful occasions of scientific study, intercourse, and 

 recreation, called Field Meetings." 



Our interest is, of course, more especially directed to the 

 notabilia of our own district ; and the observation and record of 

 them has been so ably and felicitiously dealt with from time to 

 time, by members more competent than myself, that little more 

 has remained for me to do than to present this sketch of our 



