55 



FIFTY-THIRD ANNUAL REPORT. 



In presenting the Eeport for tlie year ending December 1918, 

 the Committee feel that perhaps the Club may be most appro- 

 priately congratulated on the absence of any very outstanding 

 incident. For the greater part of the period covered by this 

 Report, the unfavourable conditions caused by the long continu- 

 ance of the war prevailed. Yet notwithstanding these, the 

 usual meetings wei^ held at the regular times, and the attendance, 

 though sufiering somewhat, was good. Since the conclusion 

 of the Armistice, and the relaxation of the lighting restrictions, 

 a larger number of members have found themselves able to be 

 present. During the year, 35 new members were elected, 

 which is one more than in the previous year ; 10 resigned ; 

 and 6 were removed by death ; the total membership being 453. 

 The Club lost a very well-known and most useful member 

 in Mr. L. C. Bennett, who died suddenly on his way to business 

 on December 21st. For a considerable time he has most effi- 

 ciently performed the service of welcoming visitors and new 

 members; and by his introductions to those already present, 

 and by his own genial and attentive manner, has succeeded in 

 making them feel at home at once, and also to realise the com- 

 radeship with which the Q.M.C. always meets those new to 

 its Society. We shall all miss him greatly. His special personal 

 interest was with the rotifera. 



We still have to deplore the continued inability of Mr. C. F. 

 Rousselet to attend the meetings, owing to the precarious state 

 of his health, which we are grieved to hear is now even more 

 unsatisfactory than previously. 



Two new honorary members were elected during the year — 

 Mr. T. H. Powell, who, till his great age, combined with the 

 difficulties caused by the war, prevented it, was regular in his 

 attendance, was elected in February. Professor G. S. West, 

 M.A., D.Sc, Mason Professor of Botany in Birmingham Uni- 

 versity, was elected in October. 



