OSWESTRY AND WELSHPOOL NATURALISTS' FIELD CLUB. 



301 



logical, two microscopical (Foraminiferoe and Diatomacese) and some other 

 prizes offered by private individuals. 



Among the botanical are the Presidents' prize of XI ] s. for the best 

 series of botanical preparations exliibiting the distinctive character of all or 

 some of twenty-four natural orders of which the names are given, the pre- 

 parations to be made from one species only of each order ; also general 

 prizes of £1 Is. each, for the best general herbarium of one of the great 

 divisions of the vegetable kingdom. The same plan is followed in the 

 animal kingdom. These prizes are all to be given in books. 



One species of prizes hitherto given, we think scarcely wise, viz. : those 

 given for the collection of the greatest number of " rare plants"; will not 

 such a prize have a great tendency to eradicate some of the rarer species 

 from the locality. There could be no objection to this prize if it be merely 

 for the discovery of such rare plant, but in very few cases, if ever, ouo-ht it 

 to be gathered. In every other instance we think the example set by the 

 Liverpool Club, might with great benefit be followed by all others. 



The balance sheet of this Club which is included in the '"Report" along 

 with a list of members, shows it to be in a very flourishing condition and one 

 which we doubt not many others will envy. There are seven hundred and 

 two members, an increase of seventy on the previous year, and there is a 

 balance of =£50 in the Bank, 



OSWESTEY AND WELSHPOOL NATURALISTS' FIELD CLUB, 

 AND ARCH^OLOGICAL SOCIETY. 



Reports of Meetings (with Papers read,) during the years 1857 — 64. 



Oswestry : Roberts, 1865. 



This Club has evidently done good work in the district in which it is 

 situated during the nine years of its existence. The evening meetings and 

 excursions appear to have been well attended, and the papers read, of varied 

 interest. It would be impossible for us to notice all these, but there are 

 some among them which require more than a passing notice, and in selecting 

 a few of these we would deprecate any appearance of being invidious, or 

 any idea that those passed over in silence are without interest. One of the 



