Page:Midland naturalist (IA midlandnaturalis01lond).pdf/212

 afford a worthy occupation for the best Histologists and Physiologists amongst you.

It would be presumption on my part to attempt to teach Geologists their duty, but, subject to their correction, I suggest they might utilise their local knowledge in checking, and rectifying where necessary, the accepted geological map of the district; however correct it may be in its general arrangement, doubtless many details may be added to it which would materially increase its value. If the idea be thought worthy of adoption, the geologists of the Union may easily organise their labour so as to obtain the best effects from it, the district may be subdivided into sections, in each of which a sub-committee, bringing to bear its united local knowledge, could carry the work into effect with a completeness scarcely attainable in other ways. If the attempt should prove successful probably other districts would follow the example, and ultimately, through our initiation, the country might possess a general geological map, with an abundance and an accuracy of detail, such as could only be produced by the well-ordered work of an army of enthusiasts.

Our midland district is rich in the objects of the study of the Botanist and Zoologist; their branches of natural science are within the reach of every one, and the favourite pursuits of many. Of the almost infinite variety of vegetable and animal life, afforded by this fair field, much is unrecorded; aid in supplying this deficiency. Many great undertakings, which would be a tax too severe upon the individual member, burdened with the absorbing cares of his own vocation and family, may be successfully accomplished by division of labour, and the work devoted to their execution would be converted into recreation when subdivided and carried out in association with friends of congenial tastes, all equally eager to advance the progress of science.

A system of interchange of specimens should he arranged, to supply from the superabundance of one district the deficiencies of another. This might be effected by an exchange column in the "Midland Naturalist;!" and I recommend that, when an object of singular interest has been exhibited at a meeting of any society, the fact should be published in the same medium, and, so far as possible, on application by the secretaries of ether societies, the loan of the object should be granted for exhibition throughout the Union; and further, if may be desirable on special occasions to extend the principle to papers of exceptional interest. By such and similar means the interest of meetings may be largely extended, more especially to the advantage of the smaller societies, and the districts with fewest natural advantages.

The Union, if it contain a proportion of enthusiastic Naturalists equal to that of the Birmingham Society, as doubtless it does, will afford the means of organising extended marine excursions, such as to the coast of Ireland, the Mediterranean, or elsewhere, in search of new fields of observation in marine zoology, geology, and over branches of natural science, and realise the day dream of our distinguished marine Zoologist, Mr. W. R. Hughes. As this class of excursion involves the necessity of chartering a steam yacht of capacity sufficient for open sea work, and