IJIST KIBT B^TU3|Ji.I> f IST01|1 S©eiE?l. 



REPORT OP THE COMMITTEE FOR THE YEAR 

 1873. 



Tour Committee is happy to report that the Society is prosper- 

 ing, and maintains its interest and nsof illness. It numbered 99 

 members at the close of the year 1872, and 97 at the end of the year 

 1873 ; showing a loss of two memljers by death, three by removal, 

 and a gain of three new members. At the former pei-iod the 

 balance in the hands of the Treasurer was £12 12s. 3d., and at the 

 latter period £4 10s. 3d. 



The Society having, at the last anniial meeting, voted an extra 

 sum of £5 for the purchase of additional books, the Library has been 

 increased accordingly, and it is hoped in a manner conducive to the 

 best interests »f the members. As usual, the new books have been 

 carefully selected, with a view to their utility as works of reference, 

 and to their cost. On those points the Committee has acted to the 

 best of its judgment, with the assistauce of the Honoraiy Librarian 

 and the Honoraiy Secretary, and it is hoped with satisfaction to the 

 Society generally ; at all events the Committee is and has always 

 been ready to consider any suggestion from any member as to the 

 addition of books to the library ; for this department is surely most 

 important, seeing that there is no other collection of books on 

 natural science available in or near the City of Canterbury, and that 

 such wurks are qiiite essential to the cultivation of this bi-anch of 

 knowledge. The books and x>amphlets added to the library during 

 the year just expired are specified in the Librarian's Report. 



The microscope, purchased in accordance with a resolution at 

 the last annual meeting, has proved a source of pleasure and profit, 

 both at the scientific meetings, and at other times in the libraiy, 

 where this instrument stands ready for the use of the members, 

 subject to such care as the Committee may deem necessary. And 

 Bome of the members, such as Colonel Horsley, Mr. Sidney Harvey, 

 and Mr. Fullagar, have very often brought their instruments, and 

 thus rendered valuable assistance to the business of the scientific 

 meetings ; other members, as Colonel Cox, Mr. Sibert Saunders, and 

 Mr. Bell, have given occasional aid in the same manner ; and 

 for all these acceptable services the thanks of the Society are due. 

 Yo3ir Committee cannot avoid deploring, in common with the 

 •whole Society, the loss by death of the late Major Augustus Munn, 

 who was so long a most valuable and active member of the Society, 

 the scientific pi'oceedings of which wei'c so often enriched by his 

 interesting and important observations on the structure and economy 

 of the honey-bee. 



The reports of the scientific meetings having regularly appeared 



