415 



The number of members has fairly maintained itself, 

 though the present total (i68) is slightly less than that 

 of the year 1877 (175), in consequence of removals from 

 our city and neighbourhood. It still, however, remains 

 higher than in any former year, and there has been more 

 than an average accession of new members. 



The average attendance at the general meetings num- 

 bered 21 members and 6 visitors. The decrease as 

 compared with the attendance of former years is prob- 

 ably accounted for by the unusual severity of the past 

 winter. 



It was not found practicable to arrange more than one 

 summer excursion owing to pre-engagements of the 

 members and various other obstacles. The excursion in 

 July was attended by twelve members ; and the thanks 

 of the Society are due to R. W. Jones, Esq., of Newport, 

 for the kind attention and assistance rendered by this 

 gentleman to the party which visited Newport and its 

 neighbourhood. 



The Council have the pleasure of announcing that 

 they have accepted the offer of association with the 

 Royal Microscopical vSociety, in virtue of which the 

 President of the Bristol Naturalists' Society for the time 

 being becomes, ex officio^ a Fellow of the Royal 

 ^Microscopical vSociety, — a pleasing evidence of the con- 

 sideration in which our Society is held. 



The Library, as reported last year, has chiefly 

 increased by exchanges of our " Proceedings " with 

 those of other Societies, and by donations of honorary 

 members. The Council, however, has not deemed it 

 advisable to expend capital on the purchase of books 

 until adequate accommodation can be found for the 



