XXVlii. THE ANNUAL BUSINESS MEETING. 



proposed by Mr. Vaughan Cornish, seconded by Mr. W. H. 

 Hudleston, and carried. The address will be found in full in 

 the present volume. 



THE NEW HONORARY MEMBERS. The President read letters 

 which he had received from the four Honorary Members elected 

 at the last meeting in acknowledgment of their election. The 

 letters tended to show the high estimation in which the Club was 

 held by the outside scientific world. 



AN ADDRESS was then given by Dr. GERALD LEIGHTON on 

 " Colour variation in adders," which will be found in the present 

 volume, together with an appendix showing the results of a 

 week spent in the neighbourhood of Buckland Newton in hunt- 

 ing reptiles. Dr. Leighton (of Grosmont, Pontrilas, Hereford), 

 is bringing out a book on this subject, and acknowledged 

 the information he had received from members of the 

 Club. The most interesting specimen he had found in Dorset 

 was a male of the small red viper, which was perhaps distinct 

 from the common viper. The male had not, he thought, been 

 taken before, and this capture tended to support his view that it 

 was a distinct sub-species. 



The Hon. Treasurer presented his report and the balance 

 sheet, showing the financial position of the society. 



REPORT OF THE CURATOR OF THE DORSET COUNTY 

 MUSEUM ON THE ADDITIONS DURING THE PAST YEAR : 



It is almost a matter of course that this report begins with the great Dorset 

 acquisition of the twelvemonth, the Olga-road Roman floor. This is not the 

 place for a history of the long and fruitless dealings with the owners by the 

 Museum Council with a view to buy the floor. At length, after this effort had 

 been given up, Mr. A. Pope bought it and most generously gave it to the Council. 

 They soon collected donations to meet the heavy cost of raising, removing, and 

 re-laying the floor. The work was done admirably by three Italians employed by 

 Messrs. Ward and Co., Westminster. The Museum cases, which were moved 

 aside to allow of the re-laying being done, have now been re-placed so as to leave 

 all the best parts of the pavement in good view. Two groups of heavy fossils 

 and one of querns and other heavy ancient relics had also to be taken out of the 

 way. The re-planning and re-arranging of these cost the Curator a great deal 

 of contriving and heavy labour. However, it is now done, and done without 

 intruding on the ornamental part of the floor in the least. If the floor turns out 

 to be liable to damage by being used, mats of some kind will be laid ou the 



