314 Anniversary Address. 



is flat, and in the shape of a segment of a circle. It measures 

 about 15 x 9 inches, and where thickest 1| inch.' 



" After dinner, a paper by Mr Robert Hislop, of Bl air- 

 bank, Falkirk, on the Coleoptera of the west of Berwickshire, 

 was read, and will appear in the ' Proceedings.' Two plants 

 new to the district were announced : Lactuca (Prenanthes) 

 muralis, found by Mr A. Brotherston at Hirsel, and brought 

 forward by Dr Douglas ; and Dianthus Armeria, gathered by 

 Mr Wm. Boyd on a railway cutting near Kirkbank station, 

 Jedburgh Railway." 



The following were pioposed as members: — Mr J. T. S. 

 Doughty, Ay ton ; Mr Adam Deas, Dunse ; and Rev. Robert 

 Home, Swinton. 



Mr Hughes' able and lucid resume of the British Associa- 

 tion proceedings ought to have been brought before the Club 

 on this occasion ; but, owing to my absence from home, could 

 not be sent to the Secretary in time. These meetings of the 

 British Association for the Promotion of Science, marking, 

 as they do, year by year, the intellectual progress not only of 

 our own country, but of the whole civilized world, must always 

 be of great interest to local clubs like ours, engaged in a smaller 

 way in kindred pursuits. Able men from all parts of the 

 world meet together and compare notes ; they mention new 

 discoveries, discuss new theories, broach new opinions, and 

 report new facts and observations. There is something truly 

 grand in the continuous, and of late years rapid, onward 

 march of the human intellect, as we are enabled thus to 

 measure its progress. We may make much allowance for 

 what is exaggerated or fictitious, and still own to the 

 immense progress being made in science and civilization. 

 Nature's forces are being yearly more thoroughly known, and 

 more largely utilized, so that the whole human race is being 

 benefitted by the advances made through the achievements 

 of the physical sciences. This advancement is plain and 

 palpable to all; and most so perhaps to those of our members 

 whose recollections carry them back, not to twenty or thirty, 



