FORTIETH REPORT. 



In presenting their Fortieth Annual Report, the 

 Council have again to congratulate the Members on 

 the steady, progressive, and successful position of the 

 Society. 



The pecuniary embarrassments which aforetime 

 so much impeded its progress and limited its opera- 

 tions, are now fast disappearing, and it is hoped that 

 in a short time all these unpleasant reminiscences of 

 the past will be but incentives to renewed exertion 

 for the future. 



The debt on the Building is now reduced to <£300, 

 and your Council hope by curtailing their ex- 

 penditure, and by making only limited and timely 

 purchases, to be enabled shortly to lessen even this 

 trifling encumbrance. Beyond the purchase of a few 

 British Birds and of a few Books, urgently required, 

 your Council have expended nothing beyond the 

 unavoidable disbursements of the year. 



