CEYLON NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY. 75 



Society has had by the acceptance of the position of Patron by 

 His Excellency Sir Henry McCallum, and of President by Sir Hugh 

 Clifford, and bj'^ the readiness with which the experts have come 

 forward with offers of service, it is only reasonable to expect that 

 the period of infancy will be a very short one so far as actual power 

 is concerned. There are most probably a very large number of 

 persons who, if they are not actually active in the study of Natural 

 History, are ready to join and to have their interest aroused. 

 There is also a large number of persons who hesitate because of the 

 usual expense involved in joining any Society, and because they feel 

 that, though keen, they have no expert knowledge. These may be 

 relieved to know that the subscription to the Society has been 

 fixed at a very low figure, which will hold good until a magazine is 

 published , or even after then , if sufficient funds are available , and 

 which will enable all who are interested to join, and, further, to 

 know that it is one of the objects of the Society to publish, as soon 

 as possible, a series of booklets dealing with natural objects in a 

 simple way such as will enable the beginner to gain a grasp of the 

 subject and to identify his specimens. 



Membership is open to anyone who is interested in the study of 

 Natural History. A communication addressed to the Honorary 

 Secretaries will procure further information on the subject, if 

 necessary. In Ceylon there must be a very large number of persons 

 who are qualified for admission, and the work which can be done 

 by the Society will largely depend upon the number, and also the 

 activity, of its members. 



It is proposed to hold meetings at convenient intervals in Colombo 

 or in some other suitable centre, at which members will be able to 

 make communications or exhibit specimens, and at which lectures 

 will be given by members from time to time. These meetings will 

 enable workers in particular branches of Natural History to get in 

 touch individuall}^ with others who are working in the same branches. 



Nature lies around us in this Island in some of its most pleasant 

 aspects, and must impress itself even upon the most unobservant. 

 With the seashore, the low-ljdng land around the coast, the central 

 range of uplands, the jmigle of various types, and the drier districts 

 in the north, we have in Ceylon plenty of variety in a small compass, 

 plenty to keep the worker busy wherever he may be. And the 

 more general diffusion of the knowledge of Natural History must 

 lead to a sounder outlook on life, and indirectly to the greater 

 prosperity of the Island. 



