A copy of the " Gazette " will be sent gratis to any one 

 contemplating joining the Society, and for the benefit of 

 the members generally, the Editor reminds them that he 

 has available a small number of neatly bound copies of 

 Vol. I. (with a portrait of tfie Editor) at 3s. gd., post free, 

 for which early application is recommended. Contribu- 

 tions of MSS. of a really practical character are also 

 solicited by the Editor, who would remind the members 

 that an ''Exchange Column" can only be started when 

 material for it is sent in. The Editor will be happy to name 

 fronds, for which postage should be paid if their return be 

 desired. The Editor. 



THE AUGUST MEETING. 



The annual meeting of the Society was held this year at 

 the Albion Hotel, Arnside, Westmoreland, on August 5th, 

 when a good number of members were present, Mr. Alex. 

 Cowan, of Penicuik, as President, taking the chair. 

 Many of the members assembled on the Friday preceding 

 the meeting in order to arrange some Fern hunting expedi- 

 tions in the vicinity, but owing to the distance which it 

 was necessary to travel to reach good ground, and still 

 more to the terribly cold and wet weather which prevailed 

 during their stay, no "finds" of any special note can be 

 recorded. Subsequently, in view of the first drawback, it 

 was resolved that Devon or Dorset should constitute the 

 area for hunting on the occasion of the next meeting, since 

 not only are the species there far more numerous than in 

 the north, but ferns generally are far and away more 

 abundant. At the meeting the Hon. Secretary, Mr. Chas. 

 T. Druery, reported that the Society was now represented 

 by no less than 150 members, and that as a consequence 

 the funds were in a very satisfactory position, fully justifying 

 the establishment under his Editorship of the " British 

 Fern Gazette," the illustrated quarterly issued to members, 

 the first volume of which, representing three years' issues, 

 having just been completed. It was acknowledged on all 

 hands that this " Gazette," which now represented the 



