pkesident's address. 191 



then formed amidst the rough and rude dwellers around. Then 

 little by little early zeal decaying, and errors neither light or 

 trivial creeping in. Then the sweeping whirlwind of Reform- 

 ing times, destroying the monastic life, and iconoclastic hands 

 levelling the work- of the skilled IS'orman builders to the ground. 

 Then happier times again arising, and good Bishop Crewe leaving 

 his estate to trustees, in the hope that the generation yet unborn 

 might profit both in body and mind by the generous disposition 

 of his property and by the teaching given in the church and 

 schools which he so founded and endowed. 



We wandered in happy groups of twos and threes o'er field, 

 and stream, and wood, gathering as we went here a flower and 

 there a moss, rare and beautiful to the eyes of the unlearned 

 botanists, who, ignorant alike of the mysteries of the Natural or 

 Linnean systems, enjoyed possibly with even keener relish than 

 their more learned companions, the beautiful works of Him who 

 has clothed the Lily of the field with its glorious colouring, and 

 made everything beautiful in its season. 



But neither history, archaeology, botany, or any other kindred 

 science will satisfy the needs of whole man (body as well as mind 

 must be cared for), and here again the forethought of our excel- 

 lent and painstaking Secretaries were made clearly evident by 

 the ample repast which the keeper of the inn had provided. Mr. 

 Thompson, after dinner was ended, gave us some interesting 

 notes on certain eggs which he had recently found. Our home- 

 ward journey was without any special incident. 



The next Meeting was at High Force, in Teesdale. A region 

 of deepmost interest to the plant collector from the peculiar flora 

 which marks, or did mark, its vegetation, Alas! "the trail of 

 the Tripper" has left its mark even on the lengthening miles 

 through which Tees rushes from the moment when it springs 

 into life, near to its even more famous twin sister, the Tyne, 

 down to its exit into the sea. 



The ruthless destruction of plants, too often from mere thought- 

 lessness, is becoming a very serious evil. Even amongst the 

 mountains of Switzerland the destruction of rare plants has been 



