204 



Naturalists' Field Glubi 



result,, in the highest the number of such combined actions 

 is incalculable, the variety great ; so if we look to human 

 society, savage existence co-ordinates little and accomplishes 

 little, while civilization grows in proportion as it multiplies 

 the number of actions that conduce to a given end, and 

 exhibits the greatest quantity of individual diversity har- 

 moniously directed to secure the welfare of each in the 

 advantage of all. 



NATURALISTS' FIELD CLUBS; THEIE WORK AND 

 WAYS OF DOING IT. 



BY GEORGE S. BEADY, M.K.C.S., 

 Secretary to the Tyneside Naturalists' Field Club. 



Now that naturalists' field clubs have become so numerous and 

 so widely popular, it may be useful to devote a few pages 

 to the consideration of the manner in which they are usually 

 conducted, and the ends which they chiefly aim to pro- 

 mote. Their capacity of usefulness is perhaps greater than at 

 first sight might be imagined ; and it will be matter of regret 

 if the opportunities within their grasp are not turned to the 

 best account. Possibly the present widely spread interest in 

 them may prove to be, like other popular hobbies, somewhat 

 evanescent ; at all events, it is prudent to act on the maxim, 

 " Make hay while the sun shines." 



The first-established of field clubs was the Berwickshire, 

 which began operations in 1881, and owed its formation mainly 

 to the zeal and energy of the late Dr. George Johnston, of 

 Berwick. In 1846 the Tyneside and the Cotteswold clubs 

 were instituted, and since that time a large number of clubs — 

 mostly flourishing associations — have been formed in various 

 parts of the country. The following table exhibits the dates of 

 formation, numbers, and rates of subscription of some of the 

 more important : — 





Date of 



Annual 





Number of 





Foimation 



Subscrip- 

 tion. 



Entrance. 



Members 

 (1864). 



». d. 



j. d. 





Berwickshire Naturalists' Field Club 



1831 



6 





206 



Tyneside „ „ 



1846 



5 



5 



522 



Cotteswold „ „ 



1846 



10 



21 



94 



Warwickshire „ „ 



1854 



about 3* GfZ 





93 



Manchester Field Naturalists' Society 



1860 



10 6 



10 6 



about 500 



Liverpool Naturalists' Field Club . 



1860 



5 





633 



Bristol Naturalists' Society 



1862 



5 



... 



195 



