1 92 1.] Letters, Extracts, and Notes. 357 



Mr. Seth Smith proposed and the Kev. J. R. Hale seconded 

 a vote of thanks to the Auditor. 



These were carried unanimously, as was also a vote of 

 thanks to the Chairman. 



The Annual Dinner after the Meeting was well attended, 

 over 100 members being present. 



The Oxford Expedition to Spitsbergen. 



An expedition to Spitsbergen is being organized by the 

 University of Oxford, and a sum of at least £3000 is required 

 to carry out the work. The Oxford expedition is entirely 

 scientific in its objects and aspirations. Special attention 

 will i)e paid to ornithology. The breeding-habits and 

 migratory movements of many of the raier Arctic species 

 are practically uidcnown, and the problem of reversed sexual 

 selection, a subject very inadequately investigated, is found 

 exclusively among birds whose breeding-grounds are in the 

 north. The ornithological members of the party will make 

 close and extensive observations and will not confine them- 

 selves to eg"s and skins. 



The expedition has the sanction and support of the 

 University of Oxford, as well as of the heads of all the 

 scientific departments concerned. It is proposed that two 

 parties shall go out in sealing-sloops, the first early in June 

 and the second a few weeks later, when the north coast is 

 more likely to be free from ice. Altlumgh, as we have said, 

 a sum of at least £3000 is necessary, if a larger sum is forth- 

 coming the scope of the expedition, which will last only two 

 or three months, could be profitably enlarged. The Rev. 

 F. C. R. Jourdain is Chairman of the Committee, and con- 

 tributions will be welcomed by and should be addressed to 

 Mr. G. Binney, Hon. Secretary, Oxford University Ex- 

 pedition to Spitsbergen, Mertou College, Oxford. 



