XVIU PEOCEEDINGS OF THE 



your President, Dr. Brett. To the Earl of Essex the Society is 

 also indebted for his kindness in allowing the members to go over 

 his house and grounds at the meeting in Cassiobury Park, and 

 for his notes on the more remarkable trees which were examined 

 on that occasion. At the Hitchin meeting, which was the first 

 which has occupied an entire day, the kindness and hospitality of 

 Mr. Hansom deserve special acknowledgment. He provided a 

 sumptuous luncheon for a numerous party — the meeting being 

 largely attended — and also carriages to convey the party to Lilley 

 Hoo and the Chalk hills north of Hitchin. 



The Council have the gratification of stating that all the Field 

 Meetings were well attended. At each meeting a larger party 

 assembled than at the one preceding — the meeting in Cassiobury 

 Park, at which about 80 of the members were present, being the 

 most numerously attended of any which have been held since the 

 Society was founded. 



The financial condition of the Society continues to be satisfactory. 

 The expenditure during the year was about the same as in the two 

 previous years, and there is a considerable balance in hand. In 

 addition to this balance the sum of £22 10s. is due to the Society 

 for arrears of subscriptions, principally for 1877, and the balance 

 sheet shows that, although the number of members has increased 

 since the previous year, the amount received for subscriptions is 

 £11 less. The sum of £100 has been invested in the purchase of 

 Consols, which sum exceeds by £5 the amount received for life 

 compositions. 



The donations to the Society's library have been both numerous 

 and important. They consist principally of the publications of 

 scientific societies which have been received in exchange for your 

 'Transactions.' Twenty volumes have been bound during the 

 year, and there are altogether about 120 volumes in the library, 

 nearly all of which have been acquired by donation and exchange. 

 These are all available for circulation, and in addition to them 

 there is a considerable number of unbound pamphlets and portions 

 of the proceedings of scientific societies, etc., which will in time 

 form a valuable Natural History library. 



It is to be regretted that on account of the books not being 

 readily accessible but little use is made of them ; but the Council 

 hope shortly to be able to make arrangements by which the library 

 belonging to the Society may become of more general service to 

 the members.* 



For the use of the rooms in which the evening meetings are 

 held, and for other facilities afforded to the Society, the Council 

 have again to express their thanks to the Committee of the Watford 

 Public Library. 



* These arrangements were made by, and announced at, the following meeting 

 — see page xx. 



