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 The leaves of the stone book cannot be turned over by the geologist to any good purpose in a few moments. The trunks of old trees, swamps, and brakes ore not likely to yield up their treasures to the botanist on a cursory glance. Time and diligent research and scrutiny are essential to secure these prizes. But time generally fails where a large party has to be guided from point to point. The most that can be expected on such occasions is to obtain a more comprehensive view of the surface of a district, and sometimes to listen to au exposition of its features from those who are well acquainted with it,

Secondly, a vigorous effort should be made for the production of original papers. Field Club meetings arc favourable opportunities for those members who have devoted themselves to any branch of science to make known the results of their researches, There are few bodies of men among whom some ave not to be found who are quite competent to do this, and one of the most valuable functions of the society is to elicit any local information which they may be able to supply.

Thirdly, the formation of local museums, or the addition to those which already exist in the neighbourhood, may well occupy the attention of our members. Of course some districts are much more favoured in this respect than others. Tint the very existence of a field club implies that of objects worth observing and collecting, and nature may truly be said to be inexhaustible in supplying them.

Lastly, I would suggest the importance of each club taking up some definite line as an object for its energies and researches. The example in this respect of the most distinguished and successful of the clubs in the West of England may be studied with advantage. While prosecuting a variety of the ordinary subjects usually proposed by such bodies, the Woolhope Club for several years made it their chief aim to record and describe the trees of Herefordshire; and in their transactions—an extensive and very interesting series of volumes—many photographs and interesting papers have appeared descriptive of those which are remarkable for their size, age, or history. Here was a subject in which everyone could take part, and though at first sight it might appear of but limited range and not very important, yet it was soon evident that it led to observations of great and varied interest; for everyone who has entered on almost any investigation with ardour and perseverance must have remarked that, as he goes on, many unexpected paths branch out into allied subjects, each of them supplying abundant material for further research. In this case the mere attempt to record the height, the girth, and other conditions of remarkable trees led to observations on their botanical varieties, to the comparative hardness and durability of timber, to many historical facts connected with them, and, in some instances, the progress of geological events has been indicated by noting the change in the course of a river proved by the existence of some old tree that once grew on its banks, but from which it has now far receded. The Woolhope Club has since made the study of the fungi, especially with reference to their usefulness as articles of food, their chief pursuit; and their annual Fungus Forays, and exhibitions and dinners at which the products of the chase are served for experimentation