xxxviii Proceedings. 



Treasurer. — Kenneth McKean, F.L.S. 



Committee. — F. C. Bayard, L.L.M. ; J. G. B. Brewer; H. S. 



CowDELL ; Thomas Gushing, F.E.A.S. ; W. M. Gibson ; 



E. Straker ; E. B. Sturge ; H. G. Thompson, M.D. ; 



W. ToPLEY, F.G.S. 

 Hon. Secretary. — William Low Barjeant. 



The Balance-sheet was taken as read, and after a few explana- 

 tory remarks by the President was passed, and a vote of thanks 

 accorded to the Auditors. 



It was then proposed by Dr. A. Carpenter, seconded by Mr. 

 Berney, and carried unanimously : — 



" That a hearty vote of thanks be passed to the President for his 

 very vahiable services during the past year." 



A hearty vote of thanks was also passed to the other officers of 

 tlie Club for their services during the year. 



The President, Henry T. Mennell, F.L.S. , then delivered his 

 Address. 



The Presuleiit's Address. 



Gentlemen, — At the close of my second year of office as its 

 President it is my duty again to present to tlie Club a brief 

 review of its proceedings in 1886. 



To those present this evening, many if not most of whom have 

 regularly attended our meetings and taken an active part in them, 

 such a recital may perhaps appear superfluous, but wlien we con- 

 sider, not without regret, how small a proportion of our members 

 thus assist at our meetings, the use of sucli a summary whicli 

 reaches them all through our printed Transactions will be 

 apparent. I wish I could convey in this address such an im- 

 pression of the interest of our meetings as should induce them 

 in larger numbers to attend. 



Nianber of ilemhers. — During the past year 29 new members 

 have joined tlie Club, and we have lost 14 by death and resigna- 

 tion ; our numbers therefore stand at 256, as compared with 241 

 a year ago, being a gain of 15. 



Ohituanj. — Of those of our members whose loss by death we 

 have to deplore, the name of Mr. W. H. Eowlands will at once 

 occur to us all. He was one of the original members of the Club, 

 and frequently took part in its proceedings, more especially in its 

 earlier years. His knowledge of and interest in Ornithology 

 especially was extensive, and in our Transactions for May, 1871, 

 will be found a paper by him on the Great Bustard. 



Finance. — Tlie financial statement presented this evening 

 shows a balance in liand of i£45 8s. 4d., but if we deduct on 



