vi Preface. 



desired, however, on one point. Too many members are con- 

 tent to be listeners only, and tlie real work of the Society rests 

 on comparatively a few. This seems hardly fair, and its con- 

 tinuance will not tend to permanent success. In such a body 

 as ours all ought to work, and there is plenty for every one to 

 do if he likes to do it. But it is only right to say that the 

 number of working members is steadily increasing ; for the 

 " compulsory attendance clause " is gradually driving away 

 those who only look on scientific meetings as a lounge to pass 

 an idle hour, and the seats vacated are speedily filled by more 

 profitable adherents. An indication of the jpresent popularity 

 of the Society is shown in the fact, that at a recent election of 

 members, no fewer than twenty-one candidates appeared for 

 five places. 



The Sections have hardly been established long enough to 

 enable us to say much as to their bearing on the Society at 

 large. At present they must be viewed as experiments rather 

 than settled institutions. But there is a considerable interest 

 taken in most of them, for nearly all have the full complement 

 of membership ; and if the Directors are only true to their 

 duties, these Sections can hardly fail to be most valuable 

 adjuncts for the scientific advancement of the younger members 

 especially, and must contribute much to the general utility of 

 the Society. A few words will suffice to show the state of 

 work in each of them. 



BOTAJSY. 



Excursions have usually been made once or twice a week, and they 

 have been well attended. The Director is engaged in preparing a flora 

 of Clifton, and several hundred notices of the stations of plants and 

 dates of flowering have been recorded. In this work he has met with 

 great assistance from many boys wholly unconnected with the Society 

 — especially among those of the Junior School. The Herbarium is in 

 good condition, and it already includes specimens of most of the British 

 flowering plants. The competition for the Natural History medals 

 brought in several botanical contributions, and two medals fell to the 



