34 Field Naturalists' Club — Proceedings. [v^r'xxix 



completion of a successful year, while there is yet abundant 

 field material available, and wide scope for continued effort. 



" Numerically, the strength of the Club shows a slight increase, 

 notwithstanding the increased competition in the professions 

 and in commercial and other employments, while the exactions 

 of a necessarily growing military system yearly take up more 

 of the time, especially of the youth of our community, which 

 might otherwise be devoted to nature study. At the close of 

 the year the total membership was 290. as compared with 

 282 for 1910-11. Of this total membership the composition 

 was as follows, with the increase or decrease indicated : — 

 Honorary members, 7 ; life members, 2 ; ordinary members, 

 159 (+17); country members, 66 (+6); associate members, 

 II (—9); junior members, 45 (—6) — 290. 



" While noting with pleasure the increase, by 23, in senior 

 members, and regretting, for the reasons already given, the 

 loss of 15 juniors, it may be mentioned that this loss has been 

 made good by the nomination, at the request of Mr. Hamilton 

 Fletcher, M.A., Head Master of the Preparatory Church of 

 England Grammar School, Melbourne, of fifteen of his pupils. 



" This year, happily, we have no obituary notice. Sub- 

 scribers to the Sayce Fund will be glad to leatn that their sub- 

 scriptions were devoted to the immediate relief of the children 

 so suddenly orphaned by the loss of both parents, the amount 

 subscribed having been presented in form of cheques by the hon. 

 treasurer, while periodical instalments of a special donation 

 by a friend, whose identity is known only to the president, 

 are being devoted to educational pur})oses through Mr. Wise- 

 would. 



'* The financial condition of the Club is a sound one, as will 

 be shown presently by the hon. treasurer. Our bank credit 

 balance is a trifle over ;^90. This gives a less reserve than 

 during some years of the Club's prosperity : but it should be 

 remembered that in those days the library was comparatively 

 starved and the binding allowed to fall into arrears. To-day 

 we have increased assets represented by an improved Hbrary 

 and additional furniture for exhibition i:»urposes, tlie latter 

 having been gratuitously made by an energetic member of 

 committee, Mr. J. Gabriel. 



" Attendance at the monthly meetings averaged about 65 — 

 equal to less than half the metropolitan membershij), while 

 country members and visitors were frequently present. 



" Papers read during the year numbered 22, and comprised — 

 Zoology (birds, insects, shells, and microbiology), 9 ; botany, 

 8 ; and on general subjects, 5. 'I'hat none was read dealing 

 with geology is somewhat remark;) ble. The authors were — 

 Messrs. J. W. Audas, F.L.S., F. G. A. Jiuniard, A. (i. Campbell, 



