2 TRANSACTIONS LIVERPOOL BIOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 



we remember that this Society embraces every branch of 

 Zoology, Botany, Physiology, Palaeontology, Geographical 

 Distribution and many Practical Applications of these 

 subjects, it is distinctly disappointing to find that the 

 vast population of Liverpool yields us less than a hundred 

 members. 



The scientific man likes to think that all things can 

 be explained — sooner or later ; and probably the explana- 

 tion of this curious circumstance is simple enough, but 

 involves several reasons. The reason that prevents one 

 man who would be interested in onr meetings from joining 

 ns is not the reason that deters another. Leisure time for 

 science in the lives of those who have other professions is, 

 with the multifarious pursuits of modern life, more limited 

 than it used to be. We all have many engagements and 

 more or less urgent calls upon our spare time and surplus 

 energy, which become more exacting as we get on in life. 

 Other more special societies — Entomological, Concho- 

 logical, Geological, Microscopical — call off some who 

 would otherwise cast in their lot with us, and who find 

 that time is too short for both series of meetings. Some 

 have the mistaken idea that biology is too deep and 

 uninteresting for any but the specialist, and that our 

 proceedings may be learned but are dull. Biology is only 

 as deep as the nature it studies, and that is of all depths, 

 and it is interesting to every naturalist who loves any or 

 all sides of nature; and, as for our methods here, they 

 are in the hands of our members, and those of us who have 

 been longest on the Council will rejoice the most at seeing 

 more of our younger members playing a more active part 

 in the affairs of the Society. 



But I believe a far more potent reason than those I 

 have given is simply that we are not known. I believe 

 that there are hundreds, possibly thousands, in these parts 



