286 
president's address. 
The voyage back to England was by one of the largest 
of the New York steamers, 8,000 tons, tearing along through 
the ocean at a great speed, 18J knots, or twenty-one miles 
an hour, day and night continuously, for five days of the 
run. The passage was exceptionally fine and quick, with 
bright sunshine and smooth calm sea every day but one ; we 
left New York on Saturday morning and landed at Liverpool 
the next Saturday evening, including in the passage a 
stoppage at Queenstown to land the mails; the great steamer 
was like a floating castle, so substantial and firm, and full 
of comforts like an hotel, with electric lighting throughout. 
Such was the conclusion of a most delightful and enjoy¬ 
able trip, one to be remembered with great pleasure and 
interest. 
MIDLAND UNION OF NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETIES. 
ANNUAL MEETING AT SHREWSBURY, 
JUNE 22nd and 23rd, 1886. 
address by the rev. j. d. la touche, president of the union. 
(Continued from page 207.) 
From the subject of geology to that of archaeology seems 
a long step, yet m fact each shades off into the other by 
insensible gradations. The earliest traces of man are found 
in the implements and works of art which he has left behind 
him—far more imperishable than his skeleton. These not only 
furnish unequivocal proofs of his presence in the remote past, 
but tell us something as well of the degree of intelligence at 
which he had arrived when he formed them. I am not aware 
of more than one locality m the county in which relics of this 
description have been found, and that is the neighbourhood 
of Clun. Owing to the diligence and perseverance of Mr. 
Luff, a very considerable number of flint arrow heads and 
other stone implements have there been brought to light, 
proving that the place must in pre-liistoric times have been 
the centre of a large population, and possibly was the site of 
the manufacture of these weapons. Mr. Luff informs me 
that on Upton Rock Hill, near Clun, he has discovered the 
traces of this Neolithic settlement. Refuse of pre-liistoric 
workshops are here very abundant, and a large number of 
flint and stone implements, beautifully executed, have turned 
