BOTANICAL SOCIETY OF LONDON. 
15 
could be procured by any individual ; and this is true in En- 
gland, and especially in London. But may not the medical 
man be employed in other countries, where such a supply 
cannot always be had, and where several of the plants from 
which his drugs are obtained do not grow. In such circum- 
stances it will surely be requisite to know from what similar 
productions the proper remedies may be procured. 
I have now laid before you some of the benefits derivable 
from a knowledge of local Botany, and which I shall briefly 
recapitulate. 
1st. That with the aid of our native plants, few indeed 
compared with the many thousands that beautify the earth 
and afford food to man and beast, a very correct knowledge 
of Botanical science may be acquired, and an extensive 
acquaintance formed with the habits, characters, and pro- 
perties of at least half the species in existence. 
2nd. That it is chiefly by the aid of local Botany, that 
national and other Floras can be accurately compiled. 
3rd. I have shewn what would be the results of an accu- 
rate and extensive botanical investigation of the Environs of 
London. 
NOVEMBER 29th. 
J. E. Gray, Esq., F.R.S., in the Chair. 
General Meeting. 
This being the day fixed upon at a former meeting for the 
Anniversary of the Society (being the Anniversary of the 
birth of the English Botanist, John Ray), it was proposed, 
seconded, and carried unanimously, that the Society take its 
foundation on this day. The Secretary read a draft of the 
laws, which were submitted to the Meeting, and confirmed, 
after which the ballot for the election of Officers took place’ 
when the following gentlemen were duly elected. 
John Edward Gray, Esq., F.R.S., President. 
J. Reynolds, Esq., Treasurer. | Daniel Cooper, Esq. Curator. 
,W. M. Chatterley, Esq., Secretary. 
