Proceedings. Ixxxili 
productions, and that by delicacy of manipulation, careful and 
artistic choice of views and other subjects, there is in photo- 
graphy as much of the essentials of a fine art as in a drawing or 
painting, which depends on the delicacy and accuracy of the eye 
and hand of the draughtsman or painter, and upon his perception 
and observation and sense of beauty. Dr. Hobson had some 
very beautiful lantern slides thrown on the screen to illustrate 
his subject, and pointed out the artistic merits of the various 
pictures. 
A discussion followed, led by Mr. Baldock and several other 
members, the general consensus of opinion being that photo- 
graphy should rank as a mechanical rather than a fine art, 
however good the results obtained. Dr. Hobson replied to the 
effect that, notwithstanding the generally expressed adverse 
opinion, he considered that he had made out his case in the 
affirmative. 
On Tuesday, December 17th, Dr. Hobson presented to Masters 
Kpps and Croft the prizes given by him for the best pictures in 
the Juvenile Photographic Competition. 
Mr. Edward Lovett then exhibited and described a collection 
of objects from a settlement of the late Stone age, on the north 
coast of Ireland, which was very much appreciated by all the 
members present. 
The four sections showing the greatest activity during the 
last twelve months were the Photographic, the Geological, the 
Botanical, and the Meteorological; these have all done good 
work. I very much regret to find that the’ other sections are 
dormant at the present time; it may be that this is the winter 
of their discontent, and we must trust that this discontent may 
soon be made glorious summer by the rising of some fresh and 
active members. 
The Reports of our Sectional Committees will be found in the 
forthcoming Transactions of the Society. 
Three local occurrences have taken place this year which 
interest the Society—first, the purchase of Croham Hurst; 
second, the purchase of Grange Wood Park by the Croydon 
_ Corporation, the latter having been opened to the public as a 
recreation ground; and third, the discovery at Thornton Heath 
Railway Station, by Mr. Towse, the contractor’s engineer, of a 
fine collection of mammalian remains, consisting of bones and 
teeth of the Elephas antiquus, E. primigenius (mammoth), and 
horse, Hquus caballus. The find is remarkable, as being the first 
time that any remains of EHlephas antiquus are recorded to have 
been discovered in the neighbourhood of Croydon. 
Returning for a moment to the subject of Grange Wood Park, 
