346 PRESIDENTIAL ADDRESS. 



published by his grandson in Berry's * History of Guernsey,' 

 but without any correction or augmentation ; and it is very 

 imperfect." Surely, a hastily-penned and unjust criticism, 

 unworthy of the brilliant young botanist who compiled the 

 first Flora of the island, — a work admirable in its way, though 

 itself not entirely devoid of error and imperfection. 



In these closing years of the nineteenth century we are 

 building upon the foundations laid by these veteran pioneers ; 

 we pursue their line of study, adding a little here, and cor- 

 recting a little there, until by united effort we have produced 

 what we may honestly regard as a more complete and ex- 

 haustive record. A century hence other botanists with greater 

 light and wider knowledge will judge our achievements on 

 their own merits, and estimate them at their true value. Let 

 us hope that it may be said of us, as we say of the old 

 workers : " They did their work faithfully, diligently and 

 well." 



