sae 
Report for 1886. 99 
of the long barrow of most ancient date. Another point to which 
the special attention of the Society has been directed this year has 
been the present unsatisfactory state of Stonehenge, and the sug- 
gestions it offers for the protection of the monument which all 
Wiltshire claims as its own, but as the deputation sent to examine 
it has drawn up a special report on this subject, to be presented this 
day to the Society, no further reference need be made to it here. 
The Museum has been much enriched by the purchase, by means of 
special subscription, of the magnificent collection of fossils formed 
by Mr. G. E. and the late Mr. S. W. Sloper, of Devizes. These, 
which have been secured to the Society by the exertions of our 
indefatigable Curator, Mr. Henry Cunnington, and his brother, are 
described by them as of very great local interest and value. We 
may, therefore, congratulate ourselves on their acquisition without 
drawing at all on the funds of the Society. Other additions to the 
Museum have been a hardsome collection of Paleolithic flint im- 
plements, presented by Dr. Stevens; a good specimen of an Egyptian 
mummy, recently brought to England and presented by Mr. James 
Hadow, and a desk seal of the Tropenell family, already alluded to 
as given by the late Mr. Arthur Gore. The Library has also re- 
ceived several additions, notably the History of the Malet Family, 
given by Sir Alexander Malet. Of the financial position of the 
Society it is unnecessary to speak, as the balance sheet for the last 
year has just been issued with the new number of the Magazine, 
showing a balance in hand at the beginning of the year of about 
£100. Your Committee cannot close this report without expressing 
the hope that the Local Secretaries, each in his own locality, will 
endeavour to enlist the support of new Members to replace the 
many losses we have sustained of late; and they further trust that 
new workers will be found to carry on the work of the Society, as 
those who have hitherto laboured for it are one by one taken away. 
There is yet a large field of observation in every department of 
natural history, as well as in archeology, in this county, the exami- 
nation of which has only begun; but it is hoped that diligent en- 
quirers will arise, who shall prosecute their researches and not cease 
from their labours till the ancient as well as the natural history of 
H 2 
