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No. l.] BOMBAY, JANUARY 1886 [Vol. I. 



INTRODUCTION. 



In issuing the first number of the Journal of the Bombay Natural 

 History Society, it seems appropriate to give some account of the 

 origin of the Society and of its position at the present time. It was 

 founded on the 15th of September 1883 by seven gentlemen 

 interested in natural history, who proposed to meet monthly and 

 exchange notes, exhibit interesting specimens, and otherwise 

 encourage one mother. The subscription was purposely made little 

 snore than nominal, and the possibility of forming or maintaining a 

 museum was scarcely contemplated at that time. For several months 

 meetings were held in the Victoria and Albert Museum ; but in 

 January 1884, Mr. H. M. Pbipson kindly offered the use of a room 

 in his office in the Fort. This removal to a central situation gave 

 an astonishing impulse to the Society. The meetings were better 

 attended, the membership increased, and collections began to be 

 made, so that in a very short time the necessity for more am pip 

 accommodation was pressingly felt. A committee appointed to seek 

 for suitable rooms, having failed elsewhere, recommended the Society 

 to ask Mr. Phipson to let one-half of his office premises, including 

 the room, of which they had up to this time had the gratuitous use. 

 He conseuted to this, and so the Society continued to hold its meet- 

 ings and keep its collections at 18, Forbes Street. Its progress was 

 so rapid, however, that these premises were soon felt to be too small, 

 and last month the collections were removed bo larger and ia 

 every way iuo!S suitable rooms at 6. Apollo Street. 



