president's address. 279 



'finally, the evidence of variation under change of environ- 

 ment in these new forms was demonstrated, and the conviction 

 was expressed that it is among these minute forms that the most 

 marked and manifest evidence of variation and the survival of 

 the fittest may be looked for." — Nature, June, 1878. 



In conclusion, I am sure you will pardon me if I venture upon 

 mixing somewhat of a darker tint with the usual rose colour, in 

 order to keep that colouring which is necessary to the correct- 

 ness of a picture that has to be exhibited in an Anniversary Pre- 

 sidential Address. 



The fact is, that we are somewhat falling off in our work. 

 This is matter of much regret, but may be accounted for partly 

 by the lamented death of several of our principal members, partly 

 by the idea that may be entertained by some of us that nearly all 

 our contemplated work has been completed, and partly by the 

 perhaps natural tendency of a body such as ours to allow the 

 social gradually to preponderate over the scientific. Our Field 

 Meetings, delightful and healthful as they have been, have not, 

 this year at least, yielded a sufficient crop of scientific results. 

 There appears to be a lack of young observers devoted to our 

 pursuits coming forward to fill the places of the distinguished 

 men who have been called away by death, and to whom IN'ew- 

 castle owes the reputation, for Natural History pursuits which it 

 enjoys. 



We have yet in our district a great deal of work before us. 

 Are there no new Fish, Mollusks, Crustaceans, or Insects to be 

 found ? Are the fossil Fauna and Flora exhausted ? Very little 

 has been done for the Infusoria, though microscopes now abound. 

 The Antiquities of Durham and Northumberland are not by any 

 means worked out. Local dialects, names of places and things, 

 together with Folk Lore, will amply repay investigation. 



It may be pointed out to young Naturalists that our best con- 

 tributors have begun by sending in only a paragrapli, descriptive 

 of any new thing or occurrence, and that it is nqjt necessary that 

 we should always have long papers or dissertations. "^ The 

 smallest contributions will be thankfully received." This method 

 of communication has been adopted in nil Naturalists Clubs. 



