xliv Proceedings. 
say it, with their contributions to enable them todo more. In 
this matter I can myself speak feelingly, for without the contri- 
butions so willingly given to the Meteorological Section, it would 
have been impossible to continue the rainfall work. All honour, 
therefore, I say, to those who contribute to the funds of the 
Society to enable those who are willing to work to do the work 
they have set for themselves, without anxiety as to how it is to 
be paid for. 
One of the greatest advantages which a natural history society 
possesses over the University Extension Lectures and the new 
technical schools and colleges is the organization of excursions 
to neighbouring places of interest. These excursions have always 
been a great feature with natural history societies, and their 
usefulness is universally acknowledged. They are usually under- 
taken by the different sections for the purpose of studying the 
features of the country appealing to the members of the section ; 
and there are also general excursions open to all the members 
without distinction. It has always seemed to me a great pity 
that a short paper detailing the results of each excursion is not 
included in the ‘ Transactions.’ Such papers would be extremely 
valuable after a time, for as the excursions do not take place to 
the same spot every year, a comparison of the changes which 
have taken place since the last excursion should prove of very 
great value. Such papers would show the appearance and dis- 
appearance of geological sections, of plants, of insects, of springs, 
of old buildings, and other interesting features of the district. 
The value of these accounts would be greatly enhanced if they 
could be illustrated by our photographers. The excursions are 
in charge of some member, who is supposed to have gone over 
the ground beforehand, and to be able to point out to the persons 
attending the points of interest to be noted. How much more 
interested the persons attending would be, if the member con- 
ducting the excursion could have had a paper in his hand 
showing what was observed on a previous occasion. but which 
has now been altered, or has wholly disappeared. I am aware 
that some short, may I say very short, accounts of the excur- 
sions appear in the reports made by the different sections to the 
President, but these short reports cannot, as you are all aware, 
quite convey what would very naturally be more amplified if put 
in the form of a paper. 
I must now conclude my remarks, which I fear are rather dry 
and wearisome, with the hope that, whether they may be con- 
sidered right or wrong, they may at least be productive of some 
ideas which will lead to the rehabilitation of such societies as 
have become extinct, and to the increase of the prosperity of our 
own Society, in which we are all so deeply interested. 
