THE PRESIDENTIAL ADDRESS. 97
I should like here to point out that the zeal of our colleagues
might often be much better directed, if they could easily ascertain
what is already known of the natural productions of the county, and
I trust that every capable working member in each department will
aid in putting this kind of information before our Club. Even small
beginnings in this direction, if they be but exhaustive, would be of
great benefit, as showing, at least, how much remains to be done.
When once a list of the known species of any group or branch is
brought up to date, however imperfect it may be as regards the
actual numbers, it affords a starting point for further research; there
is great pleasure in being able to add to its completeness, and an
incentive to renewed work is thereby given to the collector and
student.
There may be some members who for various reasons cannot use
the gun, the net, the vasculum or the geologic hammer in the field,
and may be debarred from an attendance at our meetings (non omnia
possumus omnes) and to these especially I commend these last
remarks. Such members can dig into books, and wade through
newspapers, serials, and museum catalogues. If they will only
rediscover for us and note down the facts which were once recorded
by the old writers, the curious student, by the dry systematist, or even
by the practical man, without knowing or anticipating their future
importance or local interest—such workers will be doing their
part towards furthering the objects of the Club in gaining a full
knowledge of the natural and artificial features of our county. Our
publications are but a means to an end in which there is no finality,
and much has been written from Aristotle, the great father of all
natural knowledge, to the immortal Linnaeus, and onwards, which as
yet has by no means received its full attention. It has been truly and
happily said, I believe by one of our members, that "it is one of the
paradoxes of modern days that we get better acquainted with
antiquity as we reach farther from it. The printing press has made
all discoveries cumulative. Especially in this the case with regard
to recent attainments in prehistoric lore" ("Leisure Hour," 1868,
p. 517).
I do not wish that our publications should be a mere dry accumu-
lation of already recorded facts, inasmuch as the investigation of the
natural history, topography, and pre-historic remains of Essex affords
a fine field for the exercise of the observing and reflective faculties;
still it must be a great advantage to have collected together what