peesident's addeess. 11 



banks, and a babbling brook at the bottom. We had to leave 

 its beauties further down to the more fortunate explorers of a 

 future excursion. It may be said that most of us — nay, all — 

 enjoyed the beautiful scenery and lovely day very much, and 

 had we been able to satisfy the cravings of our natural appetites 

 in a proper manner, we would no doubt have enjoyed it much 

 more. It is very difficult to make suitable arrangements for 

 food in an out-of-the-way place, unless an approximation of the 

 number likely to require it can be sent a day or two before to 

 the Secretaries. This is a point which many of us are very 

 liable to forget ; and I think it is quite clear, that unless we do 

 give notice to the gentlemen who kindly act as Honorary Secre- 

 taries, we have ourselves to blame. 



During our rambles Mr. Cobb, one of our botanical members, 

 noticed many plants, but I am not aware that he made any fresh 

 discoveries, though in such a favourable place as this, where all 

 natural objects are so carefully protected, there may be "many 

 a flower" which has been "born to blush unseen," and it is 

 careful observers such as our friend who may come across rari- 

 ties which have hitherto been unobserved even in this favoured 

 locality. 



Since my address was written I have heard, with much regret, 

 of the death of Mr. Joseph Blacklock. Mr. Blacklock was one 

 of our original members, and was one of the twenty who met at 

 Ovingham and attended the first Field Meeting at Whittle Dene 

 on May the 20th, 1846. Our friend was in its early days a 

 regular attender at the Field Meetings. Though not engaged 

 in any special pursuit in Natural History he served the Club for 

 many years on the Committee and as Yice -President. He was 

 also one of the group of Newcastle Naturalists who met on a 

 Wednesday evening alternately at each member's house. This 

 Club was one of the influential means adopted by the Newcastle 

 Naturalists to promote a love of Natural History. With Mr. 

 Blacklock we have lost another landmark in the history of the 

 Club, and also a kindly-hearted gentleman, whose presence at 

 the meetings of the Club in former times was always cheering 

 and helped to enhance the pleasure of those early meetings. 



