38 THE VICTORIAN NATURALIST. [Vol. XXV. 



In the absence of Mr. D. Le Souef, C.M.Z.S., who acted as 

 leader of the juniors' excursion to the Zoological Gardens on 

 Saturday, 6th June, Mr. G. A. Keartland reported that fully 

 forty junior members attended. They were shown round the 

 gardens by Mr. Le Souef, who described the various animals 

 seen, and imparted some very interesting details respecting their 

 habits and history, giving our young members ample food for 

 thought during the afternoon's inspection. 



ELECTION OF MEMBERS. 



On a ballot being taken, the following were duly elected 

 members of the Club : — As ordinary members — Miss E. Cuth- 

 bert, 77 Power-street, Hawthorn ; Miss A. M'Innes, Power-street, 

 Hav.'thorn ; Mr. F. Norris, 789 Drummond-street, North Carlton ; 

 Mr. Wm. Jas. Stephen, 32 Robinson's-road, Hawthorn. As 

 country member — Mr. Joseph E. Gabriel, Sale. 



ANNUAL REPORT. 



The hon. secretary, Mr. A. J. Kershaw, F.E.S., read the 

 twenty-eighth annual report, for the year 1907-8, which was as 

 follows : — 



"To THE Members of the Field Naturalists' Club of 



Victoria. 



" Ladies and Gentlemen, — Your committee have much pleasure 

 in presenting to you the twenty-eighth annual report, embracing 

 the work of the Club during the year ending 30th April, 1908. 



" During the year 40 new members were elected, consisting of 

 15 ordinary, 6 country, 4 associates, and 15 junior members. 

 The total membership now amounts to 295, comprising 7 

 honorary, 2 life, 156 ordinary, 58 country, 18 associates, and 

 54 juniors. As compared with the previous year, there has been 

 a loss of I honorary, 4 ordinary, and 7 associates, and a gain of 

 8 country members. There has been a material falling off in the 

 number of junior members, owing to a very great extent to the 

 difficulty experienced in getting into closer touch with them 

 individually. It is felt that some further inducement is required 

 to retain their interest and encourage them to avail themselves 

 of the special opportunities provided for gaining a closer insight 

 into the study of nature. 



" It is with very deep regret that we have to record the death 

 of two members of long standing. In January last Major R. L. J. 

 Ellery, F.R.S., F.R.A.S., formerly Government Astronomer of 

 Victoria, and one of the few remaining ' original ' members of the 

 Club, passed away at the age of 80 years. Early in the following 

 March we had to record the death of Dr. A. W. Howitt, C.M.G., 

 D.Sc, F.G.S., for many years an honorary member of our Club. 

 The loss of these two such widely known and highly respected 



