president's addeess. 3 



clear and limpid stream, for in its lower reaches at least the 

 days of its purity are long past. On the opposite side our guide 

 pointed out a round eminence, on which it is supposed an ancient 

 British camp once stood, and on which I believe various flints 

 have been at times discovered, tending to strengthen the sup- 

 position of its being the site of a British encampment. Leaving 

 Ebchester and crossing the Derwent we resumed our journey, by 

 Newlands, towards Shotley Bridge. Just before reaching New- 

 lands we noticed a patch of the Yariegated Dead Nettle (Lamium 

 maculatum) growing luxuriantly under a hedge. Few flowers 

 or insects were noticed on our way. Several varieties of Willow 

 were the most noticeable, there being I think at least seven 

 species, and in all nine varieties ; these, with the different ap- 

 pearances, and this genus being dioecious, caused the number of 

 apparent varieties of willow met with to be very large, and at- 

 tracted the notice of many of our members. This most puzzling 

 and difficult genus was represented in a most interesting manner 

 by a collection formed by the Bev. J. Leefe, formerly Yicar of 

 Cresswell, and I hope still kept distinct and orderly by the 

 present holder of that benefice. I should be glad, I may here 

 mention, of any specimens of doubtful species of the genera, 

 Salix, Rulus or Rosa, found in this district, for the purpose of 

 identification by specialists in these genera. The weather con- 

 tinued fine, although somewhat clouded and foggy, and after a 

 most pleasant walk we arrived at Shotley Bridge. Those who 

 arrived first occupied the time by a stroll about this pleasant 

 resort. We then gathered at our hotel, and partook of a most 

 welcome meal, and new members having been elected, some of 

 us returned by the six train, others remaining until a later 

 hour. 



Our next Meeting was to the Northumberland Lakes. Leav- 

 ing Newcastle by the 6.35 train, we arrived at Haydon Bridge 

 in time for a most welcome breakfast. The weather, which had 

 been very threatening, so as to prevent many faint-hearted na- 

 turalists venturing into so wild a region, was by this time most 

 unpromising, rain falling heavily; but, as if to reward those 



