cxlii Proceedings. 



W. MuRTON Holmes ; Kenneth McKean, F.L.S. ; C. F. 

 Oakley ; W. Low Sarjeant ; Ernest Straker. 

 The President then delivered bis Address, at the conclusion of 

 which a hearty vote of thanks was accorded to him for his 

 Address, and also for his services during the past year. 



A vote of thanks to the Local Press for its services in con- 

 nection with the meetings of the Club terminated the pro- 

 ceedings. 



The President's Address, 



Gentlemen, — I do not think it is possible for me to devise a 

 better system than that which has been followed by my 

 predecessors in devoting the Annual Address to a review of the 

 history of the Club for the preceding year ; and it is with great 

 pleasure that I am able to report that the Croydon Microscopical 

 and Natural History Club is as flourishing and as good for work 

 in the twenty-first year of its existence as at any previous time. 



During the past year 44 new members have been enrolled, but 

 we have lost 35 : 5 of these have died, aud many of the 

 remainder have left the neighbourhood, so that in this respect 

 we have lost more than usual. Of those who have died we must 

 especially allude with regret to Dr. E. Berney, Mr. Chas. Grundy, 

 and Mr. W. Mosse Eobinson, names well known by us all in 

 this town of Croydon. 



Our present list of members therefore is 285, to which add 7 

 honorary members, and two associates, bringing up the total to 

 294 — a net increase of 9 members for the year. As there are 

 9 other names for ballot this evening, the steady increase in our 

 growth as a Club is well maintained. 



In reference to our financial position, I think a few retro- 

 spective and prospective remarks are necessary. In the Balance- 

 sheet before you, it will be seen that we commenced the year 

 with a balance of £9 5s. 8d. and finish with one of £20 9s. 3d. 

 This, however, does not include the cost of printing our 

 Transactions for 1889, and several other bills which had not been 

 received when the Accounts were closed. These together may be 

 estimated at about £40, making the balance on the debtor side 

 of the Accounts ; against this we have of course the usual 

 floating amount of unpaid subscriptions. However, it is evident 

 that our expenditure is advancing in a somewhat serious manner, 

 as the following figures show : — 



In 1887 our receipts were £138; expenditure £128, -|-13 



1888 „ £149 „ £151,-2 



1889 „ £146 „ £170, —24 



1890 „ £157 „ £146,1 



due £40,1 ^^ 

 It therefore becomes us to watch our future with care, and 



