I^POI\T OF THE COUNCIL, 



For the Session, 1885-86. 



The Council have to report that the Society continues to 

 maintain its position, although its numerical strength is 

 slightly diminished. The total number at present is 106, 

 •viz., 6 honorary, 7 life and 93 ordinary members. 



The loss by death includes Professor John Morris, 

 F.G.S., for many years an honorary member, and Mr. J. M. 

 Burton, F.R.C.S., who was one of the founders of the 

 Society, and took an active part at the meetings. 



The accounts of the Honorary Treasurer have been 

 duly audited, and shew a balance in hand on the 31st 

 December, 18S5, of £s los. iid. There are still some 

 items outstanding for the expenses of the Soiree, but there 

 is the large sum of about £^5 due to the Society for sub- 

 scriptions in arrear. 



The Council regret to have to remind many members that 

 a Society like this cannot exist without funds, and that for a 

 small society the sum outstanding is unduly large. The 

 ordinary meetings of the Society have been well attended, 

 and valuable papers have been read or objects of interest 

 exhibited at each of them. The papers or abstracts thereof 

 will be published with this Report. 



The Soiree was held on the 20th of May, 1885, in the 

 large hall adjoining the Congregational Church, Blackheath, 

 which was, as on many former occasions, kindly placed at 

 the disposal of the Society for that evening. The Council 

 have to thank the Rev. Dr. Lansdell, for his very in- 

 teresting, lecture on " Turkestan," Messrs. Edwards, Wain- 



