206 Naturalists' Field Clubs. 



publications would be much enhanced by their embracing 

 something more than a mere record of names and localities. 

 The lithological and climatological distribution of plants, and 

 the altitudes which they attain, are matters which should 

 receive attention. And now that a good pocket barometer is 

 so easily attainable, a more useful and agreeable pursuit than 

 the collection of such data can scarcely be recommended to the 

 excursionist, provided that he is already familiar with the 

 plants themselves. 



The recording of meteorological observations is a matter 

 quite within the legitimate range of a field club's operations. 

 There are in most districts many observers who keep regular 

 records of rain-fall, temperature, etc. ; and if these observa- 

 tions could be got together, and annually tabulated, the result 

 would in time form a record of very great value. As an off- 

 shoot of this system, records might also be kept of the periodi- 

 cal return of the seasons, as indicated by the flowering of 

 plants, arrival and departure of birds, etc. Printed forms 

 adapted for these entries have for several years past been dis- 

 tributed amongst its members by the Tyneside Club ; and it is 

 not unreasonable to suppose that the habits of observation thus 

 fostered in those who carefully fill up the forms may lead to 

 still more interesting results in other departments. 



Those clubs whose district includes any portion of sea-coast 

 would do well to encourage its exploration by means of the 

 dredge. Near the shore this may very easily be accomplished 

 by private means, but when it is desired to explore the more 

 profound depths at a considerable 'distance from land, the 

 necessary expenses of the work are such as to be beyond the 

 reach of most naturalists. In these cases the pecuniary aid of 

 the clubs may be most useful ; and where the work contem- 

 plated is beyond even their means to accomplish, it is quite 

 likely that an application to the British Association (provided 

 a competent managing committee could be named) would not 

 be made in vain, During the last three years considerable 

 dredging operations of this kind have been conducted by the 

 Tyneside Club on the north-eastern coast, and they have been 

 largely assisted by grants from the British Association. Alto- 

 gether a sum of about £130 has been expended; many new 

 forms of life have been discovered, and much interesting 

 information as to the relations of our deep-sea fauna has been 

 brought together; besides which, the training thus given to 

 those who have taken part in the work has been most valuable, 

 and will probably bear fruit for many years to come. 



But besides the direct encouragement of natural history and 

 the cognate sciences, a large sphere of usefulness is open to 

 them in endeavouring to discourage the wanton and useless 

 destruction of natural objects, antiquities, etc. Many evils of 



