THE ANNUAL BUSINESS MEETING. li. 



We have also acquired, through the kindness of Mr. Forsyth, a 

 collection of beetles, which have been placed in the cabinet of 

 Lepidoptera, under the special care of Mr. Richardson. 



With the exception of a few more objects from Maumbury Rings, 

 nothing of special interest has been acquired for the collection of either 

 Roman or prehistoric antiquities ; but of objects nearer to our own 

 time we have obtained some good exhibits, viz., a large and terrible- 

 looking man-trap from Pydeltrenthide ; a massive pole hook for 

 clearing thatch off the roofs of burning houses ; the barrel of a musket 

 from the Chesil Bank, completely covered with shells and sea pebbles ; 

 a good example of a metal tinder box, found under the eaves of an 

 old house in Dorchester ; and a XVI. or early XVII. century chair 

 retaining the original leather, presented by Mr. de Lafontaine. 



The Library has been enriched by some volumes worthy of mention, 

 partly by purchase, but partly also by the kindness of donors. Among 

 the former I may mention Mr. Abercromby's " Bronze Age Pottery," 

 finely illustrated and containing plates of a large number of the 

 Sepulchral Urns now in the Dorset County Museum, and of objects 

 found with the burials. This work is described by the author as an 

 attempt to arrange in chronological order the chief types of cinerary 

 urns, beakers, and food vessels, and will probably become a standard 

 book. The Dictionary of National Biography has been completed by 

 the purchase of the three supplementary volumes, which deal with 

 the years 1901 to 1911. The only Volume yet published of the County 

 of Dorset in the Victoria History of the Counties of England has been 

 obtained ; curiously enough, it is called Volume Two ; it deals with 

 the Ecclesiastical History, Political History, Sport, Industries, &c. 

 And partly by purchase, partly through the generosity of Dr. Colley 

 March, we have added 31 Volumes to the series of Archseologia. The 

 Library now contains a set (51 Vols.) of these valuable books, from 

 Vol. 28, date 1840, to Vol. 62, of 1911. Haydn's Dictionary of Dates 

 and many books of reference useful to Members and Subscribers to 

 the Museum have been acquired. 



The Borough Surveyor of Dorchester has presented an interesting 

 set of plans and sections measured while the surface drainage scheme 

 in Dorchester was being carried out in 1911-1912. These sections 

 may prove of much value in any future discussion of the exact site of 

 the Roman defences of Durnovaria. They will probably show that 

 the Roman Wall on the south side of the town did not run exactly 

 parallel to the present avenue and South Walks. 



In addition to the Volumes of " Archseologia " given by Dr. Colley 

 March, we have to acknowledge the handsome volume of British 

 Miniature Painters by and from Mr. J. J. Foster ; two numbers of 

 " Vetusta Monumenta," from Mr. J. S. Udal ; and from the Bishop of 



