138 Anniversary Address. 



The harvest which is just concluded, has been one of the finest 

 ever remembered ; from its commencement, early in August, to 

 the 9th of September there was only once or twice a slight shower 

 of rain, and hot airy weather prevailed. The insect tribes, espe- 

 cially the destructive sorts, have not been so prevalent as is 

 generally the case in hot summers. The Black Caterpillar or 

 Collier, being the larvee of the Athalia centifoli^, which committed 

 such ravages on the turnip crops in 1835, 1836, and 1837, as 

 also in 1780 and 1783, made its appearance in the beginning 

 of July, after an east wind which followed some extremely 

 hot weather. Though very destructive diuing its stay, it did not 

 remain long. 



Our kindred society, the Tyneside Naturalists' Club, held a 

 meeting on the 17th of August, on Cheviot. A joint meeting of 

 the Clubs for personal and friendly intercourse was suggested, by 

 their President, the Eev. H. B. Tristram; this was not practicable, 

 but four of our members, Mr. Carr, Hedgeley ; Mr. Tate ; Mr. 

 T. Tate, Hastings ; and Mr. F. E. Wilson met the party at the 

 remains of the ancient British town, near Linhope ; and on the 

 following day, I had the pleasure of accompanying them from 

 Bolton to Hulne Park, and visiting with them " The Guards" (a 

 reputed Eoman camp), which is historically interesting as the 

 meeting place of the Earl of Sui^rey, with Lord Dacre and the 

 forces from the west, on his advance to Flodden Field. 



There is a subject which has lately called forth some remarks 

 from my friend, the President of the Tyneside Club, which is im- 

 portant to all lovers of natural history, and to which I wish to 

 draw your attention ; it is the wanton destruction of rare birds 

 and beasts, some of which have entirely disappeared ; and also 

 the eradication of plants, many of which, once common enough, 

 are no longer to be found. Draining and agricultural improve- 

 ment may to a great extent be the causes of the latter ; but the 

 Botanist is himself partly to blame, when he removes a rare plant 

 from its habitat — forgetting that he deprives those who follow 

 him of a gratification equal to his own. Such pilfering would 

 long ago have eradicated the Lady's Slipper ( Q/jor«^e(?m;w Calceolus), 

 in Castle Eden dene, but for the friendly watch which Mr. Burdon 

 has found it necessary to keep over it ; if similar care had been 

 taken, the Osmunda regalis might still have existed among the 

 rocks at Eowting Linn. 



Two Hoopoos have been shot this summer, in Northumber- 

 land. This bird is almost domesticated in Holland, and would 



