VI 



Introduction. 



was shown by a half-column article in the ' Tribune ' news- 

 paper of 20th February, 1907, entitled "A Scientific 

 Jubilee : Projected celebration of Darwin's discovery." 

 The next step was taken by the Council on 16th January, 

 1908, appointing a Committee of the Officers with Profs. 

 Poulton and F. W. Oliver, to consider the best means of 

 celebrating the event ; this Committee, with some additional 

 members, sat at frequent intervals during the period of 

 preparation. 



The draft programme having been approved, invitations 

 were sent to the Fellows, Foreign Members and Associates, 

 certain distinguished naturalists, every University in the 

 United Kingdom, and Societies publishing on subjects of 

 biology. It was also decided to widen the invitation 

 so as to include the Royal Swedish Academy of Science, 

 the relations between Sweden and the Linnean Society 

 being especially close. 



The Meeting-room of the Society being wholly insufficient 

 for the expected audience, an endeavour was made to secure 

 the use of the theatre of the Civil Service Commission 

 in Burlington Gardens, but the date prevented its use ; 

 ultimately the President and Council of the Institution of 

 Civil Engineers, Great George Street, were so obliging 

 as to put their admirable theatre at the disposal of the 

 Society. 



In response to an appeal for pecuniary help to defray 

 the unusual expenditure required for the Celebration, the 

 following Fellows contributed the sum of 239 12s. Od. in 

 aid, the balance being borne by the corporate funds of 

 the Society : 



