Proceedings. CXXix 
Dr. Parsons read papers on ‘‘ The Flora of Hayes Common” 
(see Trans., Art. 6), and ‘‘Some Notes on the Flora of the 
Eastern Border of Dartmoor’’ (see Trans., Art. 7). 
Dec. 16th.—The President, Mr. James Epps, Jun., F.L.S8., 
gave a popular lecture entitled ‘‘A Trip to the West Indies,”’ illu- 
strated by numerous slides and specimens. (See Trans., Art. 8.) 
On Noy. 25th the President, Mr. James Epps, Jun., gave a 
Soirée at the Pembroke Hall, the following account of which is 
taken from the ‘ Croydon Chronicle’ :— 
‘*A large company assembled at the Pembroke Hall, on Tuesday 
last, in response to the invitation of the Society for their Annual 
Soirée—an event which is always anticipated with keenest interest. 
The customary exhibits were, this year, of a rather more comprehen- 
sive nature than was the case last year, when the main idea was to 
localise the interest to Croydon and district; though, on this occasion, 
the latter feature was by no means overlooked. Hence, at the very 
entrance door, was an exhibit by Dr. F. H. Parsons, consisting of cut 
flowers, numbering no less than one hundred and thirty-four species 
and varieties gathered during the day, in the open air, and in the 
neighbourhood of Addiscombe. Again, special interest centered round 
the relics from the recently discovered Waddon Caves, consisting of 
several cores and chips of green-coated flints, together with fragments 
_ of Romano*‘British pottery and mammalian bones. Dr. Hogg also 
showed a fine range of flint implements (axes, scrapers, and hammers) 
_ discovered in Croydon district. The Microscopic Section was again 
very strong—the membership of Mr. W. F. Stanley, of London Bridge 
_ Approach, doubtless influencing the endeavour to attain front rank in 
_ this department. Mr. J. O. Pelton exhibited a case of small, but very 
; beautifully carved Japanese ‘ Netsuke’ ivory figures, chiefly emble- 
- matic and illustrative of native legend; whilst Mr. Jas. Epps, Jun. 
(President of the Society), amongst other things, contributed Japanese 
miniature growing trees (not exceeding two feet high), but upwards of 
thirty or forty years old. Mr. W. Murton Holmes showed a very 
_ interesting exhibit, including a splendidly complete range of Spirifera 
of the Upper Silurian and Carboniferous ages. Mr. N. F. Robarts’s 
collection of stone, arrow, and spear-heads and pottery antiquities 
from old London excited much interest. A very cosmopolitan and 
Much appreciated collection was that of Dr. Male, including a speci- 
“men of flying fox from Queensland, young alligators and eggs from 
Florida, and edible birds’ nests from China. Mr. H. C. Collyer dis- 
played some interesting examples of African native beadwork, and 
Some especially clever specimens of Eskimo handicraft; and Mr. EH. 
Lovett, a model Alpine garden. 
“A great feature of these annual soirées is the lantern entertain- 
ment by Mr. Baldock, from selected slides prepared by members of 
the Photographic Section of the Society. These slides are always of 
“special excellence; but a new departure was made this year, in that 
some specimens were shown of colour photography, by the Lumiére 
N. A. Co., with astonishingly beautiful result. 
_ The musical portion of the programme was efficiently carried out 
under the direction of Mr. A. M. Reeves, L.R.A.M.” 
c 
