4 
PROCEEDINGS COTTESWOLD CLUB 
1915 
facts, unless he be content to essay brick-making without the 
necessary straw. Darwin and Wallace, as we well know, were 
first of all Field Naturalists, laboriously collecting their own 
materials, and afterwards theorists, erecting astonishing super- 
structures with the results of their earlier toil. That our 
Members have done their duty by rendering available much 
accurate scientific information regarding Gloucestershire and its 
borders, will be obvious to anyone glancing through our 
“ Proceedings,” which have far more than a local status. Nor 
does it appear that any decline in enthusiasm or standard is 
taking place. The “ County Flora,” for which Mr Riddelsdell 
and his helpers are responsible, is continuing to make good 
progress, while Mr Knight is continuing his valuable work on 
the Bryophyta. Investigations on our Fungi and Algae are 
greatly needed. In the department of Zoology, Mr Charles 
Upton stands for the land and freshwater Mollusca, and 
Mr Clutterbuck for the Lepidoptera Rhopalocera, while we 
are expecting much from Mr Walter Butt in the latter domain. 
It is greatly to be desired that one or more of our members 
may feel moved to continue Mr W. L. Mellersh’s work on the 
Birds of Gloucestershire, and there are many other animal 
groups that could be studied with advantage. Insects other 
than butterflies. Arachnids, Myriapods, Rotifers, Protozoa and 
Mammals are cases in point. 
The Club has always been particularly strong in Geology, 
and it is gratifying to notice that Mr Richardson and Mr Paris 
have been building effectively on the sound foundations laid 
by Buckman, Wright, Lycett and others. Dr. Ellis has de- 
voted himself to the study of later geological phases in so far 
as they concern the evolution of local topography ; while 
Dr. Wilson continues to extend his knowledge as an unrivalled 
specialist on our prehistoric implements. Archaeology, 
merging into history in the more limited sense, always finds a 
warm place in our regard, and Mr John Sawyer’s fascinating 
book on Gloucestershire suggests many county lines of study. 
The perennial activities of Mr Roland Austin have fortunately 
relieved the Club from anxieties with reference to local biblio- 
graphy, leaving it free to pursue branches of work more 
peculiarly belonging to its province. Many other names might 
be mentioned, but enough has been said to prove our vitality. 
