4 
HON SCIENTIFIC SECRETARY’S REPORT. 
THE general condition of the Society is most flourishing 
and satisfactory as you will learn from the various Reports 
that will be presented to you. We must all deeply regret that 
our President is not with us to-night, and I am sure it is the 
hearty wish of all, that one who has guided us so well during 
the past three years, may soon be restored to his usual health. 
There is a sad side to every record and we have to regret 
the loss of Mr. Alexander Lamont, one of our oldest members, 
who by his steady perseverance helped to build for us our 
present home, and was a faithful and staunch supporter of 
this Society. Another old and trusted member has been 
taken from us in Mr. P. H. Fletcher, who for many years 
acted as our Librarian, and as long as health permitted was 
a constant attendant at our Committee Meetings. A younger 
and still more active member of our Society has gone from 
us in Mr. Spencer, who, besides being the Secretary of the 
Photographic Section, helped forward many a struggling 
beginner in his own particular branch. 
It is curious to see how photographic representations, by 
means of the electric light, have replaced almost every other 
mode of illustration. I think every Section of our Society 
uses this method of visual instruction, and I believe that even 
pure Art has learned to look at Nature with a truer eye 
through its mechanical reproduction by Photography. 
Steady work has been done in all the Sections. We are 
slowly trying to complete the Fauna and Flora of our district. 
There is, however, still much to be done, and some groups 
have not even been touched, but are waiting for the enthusiasts 
who, by their love of nature, will make her yield up her secrets. 
Our Curator (Mr. Newstead) has done good work during 
the past year, and in his Monograph on the Cocczde, to be 
published by the Ray Society, will make for himself a name 
that will be honoured by all Naturalists throughout the 
World. We, as a Society, are fortunate still to retain his 
services. To the younger members who have joined and are 
about to join our body, no higher standard of perseverance 
and industry could be held out than the example of our 
Curator, who, amongst many difficulties, has placed himself 
high in the rank of Naturalists, and still retains that modesty 
which is the true mark of genius. 
In conclusion, I trust that all the members will do their 
best, not only to keep alive the objects for which our Society 
was founded, but press on towards making the work complete. 
HENRY STOLTERFOTH, 
Sczentijic Secretary. 
