370 



FIFTY-SIXTH ANNUAL REPORT. 



The Committee feels that there is cause for congratulation on the 

 satisfactory condition of the Club, as shown by the details in this 

 year's report. 



During the year 47 new members have been elected. We have 

 lost 10 by death and 9 by resignation, leaving a total number of 

 523 members, which means a net increase of 28 in the membership 

 of the Club. 



The outstanding loss of the Club, and one also that the scientific 

 world generally regrets, is the death of Mr. C. F. Eousselet, who 

 for many years did a great deal of original research work on the 

 Rotifera, and his method of mounting them holds the field to-day 

 as probably the best form of preserving them. 



The average attendance at Ordinary Meetings throughout the 

 year has been 78, and for Gossip Meetings 73. 



The Club is still finding the accommodation somewhat cramped 

 for its membership, but the Committee has not been successful 

 in finding satisfactory premises elsewhere. The Club is also 

 sufEering from the lack of a room available for greater facilities 

 in the exchange of books ; but while the fact of our not having 

 them at hand is to be regretted, the Club is still very much 

 indebted to Dr. A. B. Rendle for enabling us to have accom- 

 modation in the Botanical Department at the Natural History 

 Museum, South Kensington, for the storing and distribution of 

 books. 



The Committee feels that with the retirement of Dr. Rendle 

 from the Presidentship this year, it cannot do other than refer 

 with high appreciation to the great service which he has rendered 

 to the Club during the last five years. The Club has gone forward 

 and increased its prosperity and usefulness, and the Committee 

 desires to express on behalf of the Club its thanks for the liberal 

 services he has rendered. 



The papers read during the twelve months have covered a wide 

 field. The principal papers are as follows : — 



January. — Charophyta, by Canon Bullock-Webster, F.L.S., 

 F.R.M.S. 



