96 



Summary of Proceedings for the Year 1885-86. 



Mr, President and Gentlemen, 



In reviewing the events of the past year, the first fact to 

 record is the absence again from the Anniversary programme of 

 the evening's social gathering. The Committee appointed to 

 carry this out were unable to do so by difficulties which they 

 found to be insurmountable ; with the exception of this incident, 

 a subject of regret to many, the Proceedings of the year may be 

 considered fairly successful. The Papers read at the afternoon 

 meetings sustained their usual character, and the attendance was 

 more encouraging ; though there is still room for improvement in 

 this respect, as barely one-fourth of the whole number of 

 members were present. Natural History has been well repre- 

 sented, and it can not be deemed invidious to others if especial 

 allusion be made to the admirable paper on the " Bournemouth 

 Firs " by our venerable President. The vigour of his mind and 

 the lucidity of his pen seem not in the least abated ; and may he 

 be long spared to us to enrich our "^'Proceedings " with the results 

 of his keen observation, accuracy of statement and eloquent 

 simplicity of language ! 



Afternoon Meetings. 



The afternoon of March 18th was given up to Mr. Broome who 

 continued his account of the Fungi of Bath and its neighbourhood, 

 and contributed another of those valuable papers on Mycology, the 

 study of which has been his life- long pursuit, and has acquired 

 for him well earned reputation {vide page 1). This was followed 

 by a short description of an abnormal flower of Penstemon sent 

 to him for examination by a member of the Club {vide page 35). 

 Canon Ellacombe's remarks on " Study of Varieties with reference 

 to Field Club work " was postponed till the Quarterly Meeting on 

 7th April, when 



Excusing himself for having but little to lay before them, and that 



