346 Reviews and Notices of Books. 



in its twenty-third year, besides the annual address of the presi- 

 dent, contains valuable information on the Zoology, Botany, and 

 Geology of the district. 



The printed papers of this Club extend now nearly to three 

 volumes. Previous to the time of its formation there were man 

 active naturalists in the district, whose circumstances and avoca- 

 tions prevented much interchange of opinions with their fellow- 

 labourers, and it was chiefly at the suggestion and by the energy 

 of Dr Johnston of Berwick, that a plan was formed to increase 

 the communication with each other. " The Club was instituted," the 

 opening paragraph of its first Proceedings states, " for the pur- 

 poses of examining the natural history and antiquities of the 

 county and its adjacent districts, and of affording to such as were 

 interested in the objects the opportunity of benefiting by mutual aid 

 and co-operation ;" and while at its commencement it acted singly, 

 and for a time alone, its interest and utility at length became 

 known by the institution of similar clubs in the English counties 

 adjoining, and within these few years by several very important 

 ones springing up in other parts of England. The western coun- 

 ties of England have taken the most important lead ; several 

 societies, denominated " Field Clubs," have lately been instituted 

 there. They are all formed after the model of the old Berwick- 

 shire Club, and profess to be bodies of working naturalists. It 

 is the custom of their members to assemble during the summer 

 months at the small and unambitious hostelries of their differ- 

 ent counties, and, after breakfasting together, to transact the 

 business of their societies and elect new members. This over, 

 the Club divides into Geological, Botanical, and Entomologi- 

 cal Sections, to which, as taste directs, the members attach 

 themselves for the day. After a long walk they meet again at 

 dinner, frequently at another village inn, eight or ten miles from 

 the spot where they breakfasted. A homely repast is prepared, 

 and generally discussed with much appetite. The remainder of 

 the evening is devoted to reading scientific papers, examining the 

 specimens collected during the day, and general conversation upon 

 subjects of Natural History. A winter meeting is also held, where 

 the sayings and doings of the past year are reviewed by the pre- 

 sident in his address, new rules are passed, old ones altered, and 

 the officers for the ensuing season elected. The elder of these 

 west of England societies is the Cotteswold Club in Gloucestershire, 

 under the presidency of T. B. Lloyd Baker, Esq. of Hardwicke 

 Court, a gentleman who has much distinguished himself by his 

 philanthropic endeavours to reform the young criminals and juve- 

 nile jail-birds of London, and other large towns. The Cottes- 

 wold Club is now in the tenth year of its existence. It was 

 originally established by Sir T. Tancred, Bart., who for some years 

 undertook the office of honorary secretary. On the departure of 



