16 
are to be found with others in the ‘ Proceedings” of the last 
Session. Two Conversaziones have been held ; oneon March 11th, 
which was highly successful, both from the number of objects 
exhibited, and from the attendance; and one on October 2\1st, 
which was almost a failure, as only one or two sent any specimens. 
An admirable experimental lecture was given on April 8th, entitled 
‘‘ Klectrical Discharge in high vacua,’ for which the society is 
deeply indebted to the Rey. J. Burgess. 
‘© A successful Field Day was held at Lydden Spout on August 
6th, when Mr. Walton, with his usual kindness and ability, con- 
ducted a botanical ramble. And on December 16th the proceedings 
took the form of. a Discussion on Darwinism, concerning which 
there was so much to be said that the conclusion was postponed to 
a future meeting. 
“As a society we may claim to be fairly prosperous, if not 
successful; we number at present 103 members, and like other 
prosperous societies, we are getting into debt. I acknowledge that 
our balance sheet made up last Christmas shows a sum of 
£1 6s. 113d. in hand, but since then an account of long standing 
for ene has come in amounting to over eight pounds, none of 
which belongs to the present year. Out of our 103 members, 28 
pay a subscription of 5s., the rest of half-a-crown. The committee 
would warmly appreciate the offer of any of the latter to enter the 
higher ranks. We are in correspondence with the following societies’ 
with which we exchange copies of proceedings :—Academy o 
Natural Science, Philadelphia; Huddersfield Naturalists’ Society ; 
East Kent Natural History Society; Brighton and Sussex Natural 
History Society; Eastbourne Natural History Society. Copies 
of their papers are on the table. 
‘«« During the past year large and valuable additions have been 
made to the Museum which is still in our charge, and for these the 
town is indebted to the enlightened enterprise of our Town Council, 
which has for some time taken a real and solid interest in the 
collection. They look very favourably too on the proposition for 
securing a site in Rendezvous Street for new public buildings which, 
as Museum and School of Science and Art shall form a centre of 
education for the older youths of our borough. Not the least 
pleasing and satisfactory point in connection with this is the fact 
that 1800 ratepayers, representing all occupations and grades of 
society spontaneously sent a petition to the Council in favour of 
the project. One has had the pleasing dream recurring at intervals 
for some years, but there is I believe at last a prospect of its 
realisation. 
«In conclusion, I have to give notice that at the meeting in 
May our indefatigable friend, Mr. Walton, will give us a paper on 
