178 ANNUAL MEETING GENERAL BUSINESS. 



them would really begin work in some department of Natural History, 

 and keep to it. These men when once interested would be untiring 

 students. He concluded an admirable speech by proposing a vote of 

 thanks to the President for his addi'css. 



Major Baknard seconded the motion. The part of the addi-ess 

 which elicited his warmest sympathies was that in which the President 

 Bpoke of the duties of Naturalists and how they should endeavour to 

 spread the knowledge of Natural History in gunei-al. He was of opinion 

 that the Midland Union of Natui-alists would become, in a few years, a 

 Society of considerable influence in the coimtry at large. He hojied 

 one object would be kept in view by the members of the Union, namely, 

 that of promoting the study of Natural History in our schools. No 

 doubt a great many effoi-ts were being made in that direction at the 

 present time, but still a httle gentle pressure would, he was sure, bo 

 productive of good. It was true that a gi-eat many schools professed to 

 teach Natui'al Science, but when they came to look into the matter they 

 found, somehow or other, that the teaching of Natm-al Histoi-y occupied 

 only a veiy small corner. Indeed, he had found, from enquiries he had 

 , made, that one lesson a week was the maximum. He thought, there- 

 ' fore, it might be a legitimate thing for the members to do, and he felt 

 assured so large a number of members, with siich an amoimt of influence 

 as they possessed, would, if they brought that influence to beai", be able 

 to achieve gi"eat results in that direction. 



The motion was put and carried unanimously, and briefly acknow- 

 ledged by the Chaieman. 



The report of the Council was then read by Mr. W. J. Hakkison. 



After detaiUng the histoi-y of the formation of the Union, (see pages 

 1 to 4 " Midland Naturalist,") it went on to speak of the joiu-nal of the 

 Union — the "Midland Natui'alist " — and expressed the opinion that it 

 had already fully realised the expectations of the Council, and lU'ged all 

 members who are not at present subscribers to become so at once. The 

 report then proceeded as follows : — 



"The Societies constituting the Union are — 

 The Birmingham Natural History and Microscopical Society. 

 The Birmingham Philosophical Society. 

 The Birmingham and Midland Institute Scientific Society. 

 The Birmingham School Natural History Society. 

 The Burton-on-Trent Natural History and Archajological Society. 

 The Caradoc Field Club. 

 The Cheltenham Natural Science Society. 

 The Derbyshire Naturalists' Society. 

 The Dudley and Midland Geological and Scientific Society and Field 



Club. 

 The Evesham Field Naturalists' Club. 

 The Leicester Literary and Philosophical Society. 

 The Northampton Naturalists' Society. 

 The Nottingham Literary and Pliilosophical Society. 

 The Nottingham Naturalists' Society. 

 The Rugby School Natural History Society. 

 The Oswestry and Welshpool Natiu-alists' Field Club. 

 Tlio Severn Valley Naturalists' Field Club. 

 The Shropshire Archfoological and Natural Histoiy Society. 

 The Stroud Natural History and Philosophical Society. 

 The Tamworth Natural History, Geological, and Antiquarian Society, 



and 

 The Woolhope Naturalists' Field Club. 



