228 REPORT—1883. 
The fresh-water shells collected by Professor Balfour have been 
described by Jieut.-Col. Godwin-Austen, in a paper read before the 
Zoological Society of London in January last, and published in the first 
part of their ‘ Proceedings’ for the present year. 
The Diatomacce have been examined by Mr. Kilton of Norwich, and 
described in a paper which will be read before the Linnean Society of 
London during their next session. 
These two papers have to be added to the list of papers on the 
natural history of Socotra resulting from Professor Balfour’s expedition 
specified in the last report of the Committee. 
The Committee are of opinion that these contributions, along with the 
botanical memoir of Professor Balfour (on what was naturally the richest 
part of the collection, and on which most of his limited time in Socotra 
was spent), taken together have yielded a rich return for the several sums 
of money granted to them by the Association. When the aid of 
the Association was first asked for this purpose an almost absolute 
ignorance of the Fauna and Flora of Socotra existed. Now both Fauna 
and Flora are at all events generally known, and their relationships 
with those of the mainland and adjoining islands have been more or less 
accurately pointed out. Although a second expedition to Socotra would 
be desirable, and the exploration of the adjacent highlands in Arabia and 
Africa would certainly add much to our knowledge, there seems to the 
Committee little prospect of accomplishing these objects under the present 
state of circumstances in the East. The Committee have therefore 
repaid to the Treasurer of the Association the above-mentioned balance 
of 1451. 1s. 10d., less a small sum deducted for petty expenses. The Vom- 
mittee, however, trust that this amount may be again placed at their 
disposal upon a future occasion should circumstances arise which would 
encourage them to undertake another expedition. 
Report of the Commvittee, consisting of Sir JosepH Hooker, Dr. 
GUNTHER, Mr. Howarp Saunpers, and Mr. P. L. SCLATER 
(Secretary), appointed for the purpose of exploring Kilimanjaro 
and the adjoining mountains of Eastern Equatorial Africa. 
1. In November last Sir Joseph Hooker communicated with Dr. 
Schweinfurth, now residing at Cairo, informing him of the wish of the 
Committee, that he should be furnished with information respecting the 
projected expedition, and expressing a hope that he would volunteer to 
lead it. Dr. Schweinfurth replied to Sir J. Hooker on November 25 that 
he regretted to say his services were not available. 
2. Upon this Sir Joseph Hooker, as authorised by the Committee, 
wrote, on December 8, to Dr. Watt, of the Bengal Education Department, 
Calcutta, a traveller and collector in all parts of India, who had lately 
returned from accompanying, as botanist, a survey of Munnipore. Dr. 
Watt having professed his willingness to undertake the expedition, Sir J. 
Hooker wrote officially, on March 21, to the Secretary of State of India 
in Council, requesting that Dr. Watt’s services might be placed at the 
— re 
ar ima 
