NATURALISTS 5 FIELD CLUES. 
93 
NATURALISTS’ FIELD CLUBS. 
T HESE excellent societies are gaining increased vitality, and new ones 
are springing into existence in every nook and comer of Old England ; 
and, as they are capable of thriving wherever a flower blossoms, or where- 
ever the earth’s crust is laid bare to human vision, requiring neither rich 
patrons, large income, nor magnificent halls of assembly, but only God’s pure 
air and green fields as meeting-places, we have no doubt that each succeed- 
ing season will see them multiply in numbers and importance. 
At Wigan, in the midst of smoke and grime, but in the centre also of a 
rich geological field, such a society has just been formed, and was recently 
inaugurated with some eclat. 
The demonstration itself was of an interesting character. Collections of 
objects of natural history, magnificent microscopes, interesting microscopical 
objects, aquaria, fern-cases, geological collections ; with speeches, singing, 
instrumental music, and refreshments, were the attractions which ushered 
into existence what, we have no doubt, will be a successful and agreeable 
society. 
A circular, bearing the signature of several leading men of intelligence, in 
Clifton, was issued in March last, to the inhabitants of Bristol and the 
neighbourhood, calling upon them to form a Field Club, after the model of 
those at “Worcester, Malvern, Liverpool, and other large towns,” and to 
“restore to Bristol the prestige it once possessed” for the successful 
cultivation of natural history. The programme contains every element 
of success : a low subscription, short excursions, the publication of 
transactions, &c. &c., and, we hope, although it is not mentioned, the admis- 
sion, nay, every encouragement for the attendance of ladies. We trust 
the good people of Bristol have responded to the call, and shall now take a 
run over to Teignmoutii, where there is a small but successful Field Club, 
i which entertained the Archaeological Association in 1861. The “ proceed- 
ings” of this club show that the delightful combes and coves of Devonshire 
are not neglected by naturalists and geologists ; and we find that Mr. Pen- 
gelly is an active member of the society, and often imparts a deep interest 
to its meetings by his instructive addresses on the geology of the district. 
The Manchester Field-Naturalists’ Society continues to flourish, 
under the active secretaryship of Mr. Grindon ; and, to quote the last 
Report, “ the year 1861 has been a period of unbroken prosperity. Every- 
thing has gone well, and the prospects for the future are altogether 
! satisfactory.” 
On the 12th February, the society numbered 430 members, of whom 103 
were ladies. Fourteen excursions were made into the surrounding country 
during the season ; and here, as at Liverpool, we find that the ladies are 
amongst the most successful collectors of plants. Prizes are offered for the 
best herbaria and cabinets of insects, and photographic views are taken of 
the places visited. 
