118 ANNIVERSARY ADDRESS 



separate and more accurate report by the Secretary, I 

 propose to offer some general observations on the study 

 of Natural History, with one or two suggestions arising 

 from the reading of our Transactions. I would, however, 

 ask indulgence of the Club if I direct my remarks not 

 so much to the actual members as to others, trusting 

 to stimulate, peradventure, the younger generation to 

 pursuits affording both information and recreation, and 

 also to influence, if I may hope to do so, those of 

 riper years, who allege various difficulties, or who show 

 indifference, or even timidity, in approaching subjects of 

 scientific import. As to our youth, it may be of interest 

 here to note that so far back as 1841 our President for 

 the year suggested such teaching of Natural History in 

 schools as is now exacted by the law of the land. 



Natural History, as comprising a very large field, affords 

 considerable variety of pursuit ; but the branches more 

 usually cultivated would seem to be Zoology, Botany, and 

 Geology. Our Club, indeed, travels into other subjects. 

 A former President has preserved to us the names of 

 local poets and painters, with interesting descriptions or 

 criticisms of their literary or artistic works. Lately, 

 too, we have had a very learned Address bearing upon 

 local history, genealogies, and public and private records. 

 Antiquarian research also, in many forms, has served to 

 attract the interest of our members. But the young 

 aspirant in Natural History will perhaps be content with 

 a range of investigation which permits him to peer into 

 the digestive organs of the cheese-mite, or to carve the 

 body of a white elephant ; to dig up a tuber, and with 

 a microscope examine the fungi thereon ; or to climb the 

 high Alps and calculate the erosion by a glacier 1000 

 feet deep. The student of science will no doubt encounter 

 some difficulties, but difficulties which can be surmounted. 

 To those, young or old, who plead want of time by 

 reason of their daily avocations, numberless instances 

 could be given of high scientific knowledge acquired 



