242 



M'heii the animals now in the hands of a first class London 

 Taxidermist have returned to the Colon}^ I think the Club will 

 congratulate itself upon having formed the nucleus of what I 

 trust will in the near future be a very fine collection of the 

 Mammalia of Ti'inidad. 



Since our First Annual Meeting the Club has received 

 presents of a number of rare and valuable animals, insects, &c., 

 a list of which has appeared in the Secretary's Report. I may 

 here mention that full credit will always be given to the donors 

 of any additions to our collections. 



The Secretary's Report also details the books and pamphlets 

 which have been presented to the Clul) during the past year. 



One of the most pleasurable events of the year was the 

 Club's visit to the home of the Hon. Robert Guppy, San 

 Fernando, who, generousl}' entertained the Members with a 

 princely hospitality. 



Another equally enjoyable feature was the special gathering 

 to meet Sir Benjamin Stone, on the 28th June, when the Mem- 

 bers and their friends spent a very pleasant and instructive 

 evening. Here, I may mention that Sir Benjamin was very 

 fa^'ourably impressed with the work vv^hich we are doing, and 

 kindly volunteered, if any Member was or is likely to engage iii 

 the study of mosses, to identify them in order that a complete 

 list of the Trinidad Muscinece may be formed. 



Another gentleman who visited the Colony, and, though he 

 was not able to meet the Club, manifested considerable sympathy 

 with our work, was the distinguished ornithologist, Mr. Frank 

 Chapman of the American Museum of Natural History, New 

 York, who spent some months in the Island in the early part of 

 this year. 



Mr. G. W. Smith, the Government Botanist of Grenada, 

 was also present at one of our meetings, and has since proved 

 himself in a pi-actical mamier altogether in unison with us in our 

 efforts to promote the study of Natural History. 



Gentlemen, when I look back to the humble commencement 

 which this Club made two years ago, and when I look at the 

 position we occupy to-day, I feel proud, but I also feel grateful 

 — grateful to the kind sympathy and support which the Club 

 has received in the Colony ; grateful to the spontaneous offers of 

 assistance whicli ha.ve literally been showei'ed upon us from out- 

 side. Men in the foremost ranks of this particular branch of 

 science have come forward to help us. AVe have received offei's 

 of assistance from Dr. Gunther and Mr. Oldfield Thomas, of the 

 Britis!) Museum, Mr. Cockerel!, late of Jamaica, who is eveir 

 now \\ oiking up our Scale insects ; INfr. IVckham, of Milwaukee, 

 who is now engaged upon our spiders ; Mr. Tyler Townsend, of 



