THE PRESIDENTIAL ADDRESS.
221
where food, i.e. earthworms, are likely to be abundant. The
stream near Theydon Bois where the specimens were found
appears to be contaminated to some extent with effluent from a
neighbouring farm.
Since the above was written, Mr. Bostock paid another visit
to the locality and took eight specimens of the leech—five
adults and three immature.
The writer is at present engaged in collecting material for a paper
on the Essex Leeches, and would be very glad to receive help from members
of the Club either in the form of notes on habits, folk-lore etc., or of speci-
mens. The latter may be sent alive in boxes with damp moss, and the
donors will receive due acknowledgement and the specimens will be
preserved and deposited in the museums of the club.
THE PRESIDENTIAL ADDRESS DELIVERED
AT THE ANNUAL MEETING, 1st APRIL, 1911.
By T. S. DYMOND, F.I.C, F.C.S.
In the words of our first president—"Our Society may be
said to have for its scope the Study of Nature in the field—
the furthering of science—the addition of something, however
humble, to the general stock of human knowledge." In briefly
reviewing its work during my three years' term as President, I
propose to ask how far these objects have been carried out
and towards what field of future work the experience of these
three years leads us.
We cannot contemplate the "furthering of science," without
dealing with both education and research. Education to be
real must be permeated with the spirit of research, and research
cannot expect to be effective unless the investigators have had
the advantage of some training in scientific method and observa-
tion. Many an enquiry, in itself full of interest, has never been
brought to scientific fruition, because of the investigator's want
of scientific training.
It is now generally accepted that the furthering of Science
should begin with the rising generation, and that, as far as
elementary schools are concerned, the method of observation
and enquiry should permeate the whole of the teaching, and
the curriculum should include such a study of natural en-
vironment as will open the eyes and minds of the children. It