198 
THE PHYSICAL GEOGRAPHY OF THE PAST. 
This Society has also a photographic section, and the Journal is 
illustrated with occasional photographs—such as one of a monumental 
bust of Wm. Smith, the father of English geology, and of the peculiar 
tower of Irtlilingborougli Church. 
The work of the more specially Field Clubs in the Union, although 
not so capable of report, seems to have been well maintained during 
the past year. At many of the Field Meetings papers illustrative of 
some of the special features to be observed are read, and the parties 
have the advantage of the ready help of the more experienced members 
as well as, frequently, of that of the naturalists of the district visited. 
We think it is evident, from the account given above of the 
work which is being done by our Societies, that there is a good deal of 
scientific energy which the Union ought to be able to make more 
generally useful. We have a certain amount of organization which 
might be made the means of much more communication among the 
Societies than is at present maintained. But, of course, in this 
matter the Union must take its character from the Societies which 
compose it. If the desire for interchange of papers, &c., is felt, the 
way to carry out the plan will be easy; on the other hand, if there is 
no desire for such interchange, the Union cannot hope for any success 
in the attempt. 
A CHAPTER IN THE PHYSICAL GEOGRAPHY 
OF THE PAST. 
PRESIDENTIAL ADDRESS 
GIVEN TO THE BURTON-ON-TRENT NATURAL HISTORY 
AND ARCHAEOLOGICAL SOCIETY.* 
BY HORACE T. BROWN, F.G.S., F.I.C., F.C.S. 
The first aim of a local Society like ours should be to 
make a careful and accurate record of all the natural 
phenomena of our neighbourhood; hut, were we content 
with this alone, we should scarcely he entitled to consider 
ourselves a scientific body. Science does not consist in the 
mere accumulation of facts, for no matter how interesting 
these may be in themselves, we must remember that after all 
they are only a means to an end. Facts belong to science, 
it is true, but we must look upon them merely as the raw 
material out of which we elaborate, by processes of scientific 
reasoning, great principles of universal application. 
I sometimes hear it asked whether the lists of the district 
fauna and flora, which are so carefully compiled by many 
hard working members of our local societies, have any value, 
apart from that of an index to the student of the exact 
locality where he may expect to find any particular plant or 
insect which he may be studying. Now, undoubtedly, the 
immediate value of such lists is the one I have indicated, 
* Delivered November 4tli, 1887. 
