414 president's address. 



the philosopliical essays of both G. S. Brady and H. B. Brady 

 on departments in which they were masters, but of which few 

 naturalists are more than learners. But it would be invidious 

 to particularize further among our 18 volumes, when it may 

 justly be said that all are good. 



First Meeting, 20th May, 1897. Whittle Dene was selected 

 by the founder and first President of the Club, Mr, Ealph Carr 

 (afterwards Ealph Carr Ellison, Esq.) as the most suitable place 

 for the first Eield Meeting of the Club on the 20th May, 1846. 

 About fourteen members left Newcastle by the early train on 

 the Carlisle line for Prudhoe Station, where they were joined by 

 the Rev. John Bigge, the Pector of Ovingham, and his curate, 

 the Pev. Walter Eeatherstonehaugh, the present Pector of 

 Edmundbyers, one of the three survivors of the Eirst Eield 

 Meeting. 



Most of the members breakfasted together at the old Inn in 

 the village, others, who had breakfasted before leaving New- 

 castle, strolled round Prudhoe Castle, and afterwards rejoined 

 the rest, when a visit was paid to Bewick's tomb, after which a 

 leisured walk up the Dene where all the rarer plants, some just 

 beginning to shew themselves, were pointed out by Mr. Bigge. 

 A nest of the Grasshopper Warbler with two eggs was found by 

 John Hancock and several other birds were observed in the Dene. 

 About forty species of Land Mollusca were collected, and a few 

 of the earlier Insects captured. Thus they proceeded, collecting, 

 observing all that presented itself to view, or entering into 

 suitable conversation till they were driven about mid-day to 

 take shelter from a short thunder shower, under the lofty bridge 

 that spans the Dene about half way up, the President utilizing 

 the time by giving a lively explanation of the names of the ad- 

 jacent places. Afterwards the Spital Well and the then new 

 Reservoir of the Whittle Dene Water Company were visited. 

 The beautiful little Primula farinosa in full bloom was seen and 

 gathered by several present for tlie first time. The return walk 

 was a short cut through fields and pastures new, where the 

 Moonwort and the Adder's Tongue and other plants of interest 



