5 



some lonely seashoi-e or inland mere ; what happens ? Is the visit 

 carefully recorded, and the shy stranger encouraged to re-visit its 

 chosen haunt ? No. The butterfly is secured by the first salesman 

 to be purchased by soidisant savants, and the bird shot, and badly 

 stuffed, or given to the cat. It is the paramount duty of a Natural 

 History Society to frowu down such misei-able selfishness, such 

 destructive rapacity. It is its business to husband every rarity that 

 careful research brings to light within its district with jealous care 

 as the heritage of posterity. It is its business carefully to note the 

 occasional ajjpearance, and sometimes thorough naturalization of 

 exotics, whether plants or animals, and above all things to remember 

 that it is but the trustee of these good gifts of the God of Nature, 

 not their prodigal and ungrateful spendthrift. 



REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE. 



The Society has probably never been in a move prosperous state 

 than at present. At the end of the year 1871 the balance to the 

 credit of the Society was £7 19s. 6d., and this was increased at the 

 corresponding period of 1872 to €12 12s. 3d. And during the past 

 year there has been an increase of 19 in the members, making the 

 total 109 on the 31st of December last. 



The report of the Librarian will show that the important depart- 

 meut of the Library has been much enriched at little expense during 

 the year, and is now such, a very useful collection for reading and 

 reference as would in itself prove an ample remuneration for the 

 Buiall annual sum paid by the members. Your committee moreover 

 recommend that a sum of £5 be added to the libraiy fund during 

 the year 1873. 



As to sijecial excursions, the committee have not had before them 

 any proposal from members according to the suggestion in Rule 14 ; 

 but ordinary excursions, in compliance with the same Rule, have 

 been frequent and profitable. And indeed it is a peculiar and useful 

 practice of the Society to examine and exi^lain such objects as may 

 be collected during these excursions, as well as any other materials 

 that may be extemporaneously brought before the scientific meeting. 

 This course has been found valuable to all concerned, especially as 

 it is not encumbered with any sort of preliminary formality, save 

 such slight regulation as may be then and there decided on for the 

 economy of time. Thus there is a free and easy intercommunication 

 of knowledge veiy pleasant and profitable to the members and their 

 friends. 



Of course the Library, always ready at hand for assistance, is be- 

 coming more and more valuable in this and other respects. And to 

 increase appliances for observation and instruction, the committee, 

 acting on the hint of Mr. Sibert Saunders, recommend that a micro- 

 scope, at a cost not exceeding ten guineas, should be purchased for 

 the use, under such I'estrictions as may appear necessary to 

 the Committee, of the members of the Society. They will 

 thus enjoy opportunities of acquiring a knowledge of micix>- 

 scopic maniijulation, which has now become absolutely indispen- 

 sable in scientific education and research ; and those akeady 



