144 THE ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 



It is not easy to appraise Mitchell's work as Secretary 

 justly and exactly. But certain facts stand out with such dis- 

 tinctness that they cannot be overlooked. He was thoroughly 

 in sympathy with Lord Derby's plans for the improvement of 

 species and varieties already domesticated, the introduction of 

 new forms, and experimental breeding^. To him was due the 

 abolition of the rule which required that visitors should be 

 provided with a Fellow's order. The early policy seems to have 

 been to keep the public out ; he invited them, and his system of 

 " starring," as it was called by the Press, caused the favourable 

 turn in the affairs of the Society, so that his successor came in 

 with the flowing tide. During this decade there was little 

 change in the general policy; some important reforms in the 

 matter of accounts were introduced, and greater activity was 

 shown in the timely productions of the literature, which was 

 greatly increased in quantity. 



Considerable advance was made in the formation of a Library, 

 on which rather more than £2,000 was spent during this decade. 

 By far the larger part of it was devoted to the purchase of 

 standard zoological works. Up to 1867 there was no Librarian. 

 In that year Mr. (now Dr.) R. B. Sharpe was engaged as clerk, 

 his special duty being the care of the books and periodicals, 

 though for some time he assisted in the general work of the 

 office. In the Council's Report issued April 29, 1871, he is for 

 the first time styled " the Society's Librarian." 



The Council had long entertained the view that it would be 

 well if the scientific meetings could be held in more immediate 

 connection with those of cognate bodies, and especially of the 

 Linnean Society. After "consideration of the matter by both 

 Councils, the Linnean Society courteously offered the use of their 

 room in Burlington House on alternate Thursdays with their own 

 meetings. Accordingly the meetings of the Zoological Society 

 were held there during the session November, 1866- June, 1867. 

 It was hoped that the experiment would lead to successful 

 results in the best interests of both Societies, and ultimately 

 to a system of co-operation among the various scientific 

 bodies of the metropolis. The arrangement was found in 

 some respects inconvenient, and the Council reverted to the 

 former practice of holding the meetings on the second and 



