30 
the Society a piece of ground in Preston Park for the purpose of 
growing rare and interesting plants, the Section has undertaken 
the care of it. In connection with the numerous meetings during 
the Session (now between 30 and 40 instead of eight or ten as 
formerly) which are held in this room, in which by the permission 
of the Town Council we are privileged to meet, the Council begs 
to acknowledge the courtesy of Mr. F. W. Madden, Librarian of 
the Free Library, who is always ready to facilitate the arrange- 
ments which these meetings entail. 
Your Council regrets that for the first time for thirty-eight 
years the Annual Excursion will not take place. These excursions 
have for some years past been a serious charge on the funds of 
the Society on account of the small number of members who take 
part-in them, and as in response to a circular lately issued invit- 
ing members to take tickets beforehand to permit of arrange- 
ments being made, only comparatively few responded, the 
Council did not feel justified in proceeding with the Excursion, 
and it has consequently been abandoned. Among those members 
whose deaths the Council has this year to deplore that of Mr. E. 
P. Smith calls for special remark. He was one of the most ac- 
complished botanists in the County, and in former years took an 
active part in the work of the Society. 
. Since our last Annual Meeting the Society has lost six mem- 
bers by death, and seventeen by resignation, &c. On the other 
hand twenty-one ordinary members, one Honorary, and two As- 
sociates have been elected. 
The Papers read before the Society have been as follows :— 
Oct. 12th, 1892. Inaugural Address: Mr. D. E. Causa. 
Nov. 14th, ,, “ Photo-Micrography,” with illustrations by 
Electric Lantern: Mr. T. Caarrers WHITE. 
Dec. 14th, _;; «The Evolution of Birds’’: Mr. H. M. Wa1.Is. 
Jan. 11th, 18938. An evening for Specimens. 
Feb. 8th, _,, An Exhibition of Lantern Slides by Photo- 
graphic Section. 
Mar.,8th, 5 “« Perfumes, their Sources and Modes of Pro- 
duction” : Mr. J. CuagLes Sawer. 
April 19th, ,, “The Origin and Distribution of Coal”: 
Prof. T. Rurrrt Jonss, F.R.S. 
May 10th, ,,  ‘‘ Stone Implements”: Mr. Arruur GRIFFITH. 
June 14th, ,, “Finding of Gyps Fulvus, in Volcanic 
Deposit, near Rome”: Dr. Mixes. 
