15G 
service of any of our members. Probably, few are aware of the 
great and increasing value of some of them, which can never be 
replaced ; as, for instance, the various works from the United 
States Survey, and many others. In addition to these I would 
notice during the present year the acquisition of Eodd’s ‘ Birds of 
Cornwall,’ Andrew’s ‘Birds of Damara Land,’ Brightwell’s ‘Fauna 
Infusoria,’ Woodward’s ‘IManual of the Mollusca,’ and many yearly 
volumes issued by the Natural History Societies with whom we are in 
correspondence, and exchange our ‘Transactions.’ 
Through the kindness of Lord Leicester a large party visited 
Holkham in the early summer. I’aking the railway to Wells, they 
walked along the sea wall which skirts the home farm, which has 
been reclaimed during the past few years, and has very rapidly 
become fertile land, though but recently little more than sandy 
dunes. Several rare plants were noted on that occasion, one or 
two indeed almost limited to this locality. Whilst making these 
remarks I cannot but regret that Naturalists, as a body, seem to 
have an uncomfortable faculty of endeavouring to exterminate rare 
species, whether of birds, animals, or plants, which may come 
across their notice. An unusual visitor, in the shape of a bird, 
is driven to our coasts by stress of weather or other circumstances, 
and being a fine day the Englishman must keep up his unenviable 
ju’estige, and forthwith kills something. A new plant is found, 
and “ the adventurous botanist eradicates the lot,” endeavouring 
to settle it in his garden, forgetful that only under special 
circumstances he will succeed in growing it in a state of 
confinement. 
The jiark at Holkham, with its magnificent trees, and splendid 
lake, abounding in wild-fowl, which breed in great numbers on it, 
is too well known to need any description of mine. The hall, with 
its gardens and pictures, and other works of art, many of them of 
great value, afforded the visitors great pleasure ; the library and 
stuffed specimens in the museum being of especial interest. I 
must here notice the attention and kindness of IMr. A. G. Napier, 
son of the Vicar of Holkham, who devoted his time that the 
excursion might prove a successful one. The next visit was to the 
