procekbin^s ov societies* 
2G7 
Library-—perhaps the best library for works on Natural History in existence_ 
the Oxonians enjoy very considerable advantages for the cultivation of zoological 
. science. At present there appears to be no herbarium in the Ashmoleaii 
Museum, a desideratum which we hope ere long to see supplied. 
■SHKOPSHIRE AND NORTH WALES NATURAL HISTORY AND 
ANTIQUARIAN SOCIETY. 
Among the numerous provincial Natural History Societies that are springing 
up on every side, there may be and doubtless are some conducted with more 
■pomp and external show than that of Shrewsbury, but we verily believe it 
exceeds all others in the . real desire of effecting something substantially bene¬ 
ficial to Natural Science. The annual report for 1836-—a printed copy of which 
has reached us—is highly satisfactory. The members are above two hundred in 
number, including many names eminent in science, the professional men, and the 
nobility and gentry of the town and neighbourhood of Shrewsbury. We 
conceive gentlemen of property to be a great assistance to Societies of this 
description ; and if they are either amateurs or connoisseurs in matters of 
science, they are sure to be amongst the most useful members. Indeed, to this 
circumstance we are inclined, in a great measure, to attribute the flourishing 
state of the Shrewsbury Society. Nothing, however, can be further from our 
desire than to see an aristocratic monopoly at the head of these institutions ' 
on the contrary, every one, however limited his means, ought to be admitted on 
payment of the annual subscription; and if there be any really scientific men 
in the town or neighbourhood so poor as to be unable to pay even that small 
sum, they should be admitted as honorary members. All we contend for is 
that the funds, the library, and the museum may receive much benefit from the 
richer members ; and as, in our opinion, the nobility and gentry of England 
cannot employ their time or money more usefully than in encouraging literary 
and scientific institutions, we shall now give the names of those who lend their 
support to that of Shrewbury, trusting that so excellent an example will be 
followed in other districts. As we are not personally acquainted with many of 
the members, we can only judge by the list contained in the report, and may 
therefore, perhaps, overlook several of the rich gentry. We present the names 
in the order they occur in the report 
William and John Anstice, Esqrs., Madeley Wood ; Ven. Archdeacon BATSsa; Rt. Hon. 
Lord Berwick, Attingham Hall; R. M. BiDMjLVH, Esq., E. Z. S., Chirk Castle ; George Bowen 
Esq., Coton Hall; Rt. Hon, the Earl of Bradford, D.C.L, F.H.S., RZ.S .; Viscount Edward 
CliVe, M.P., M.A., F.H.S.. F.Z.S.; Hon. R. H. Clive, M.P., F.R.S., F.Z.S., Oakley Park; 
Sir A. V. Corbett, Bart., Acton Reynald; Panton and Richard Corbet, Esqxs,, Leighton 
Hall *, Rt. Hon. the Earl of Darlington, M.P., F.Z.S, Snettisham Hall, Norfolk; Thomas 
Ne. li, Y’ohll. 2 n 
