Mue^J 



NOTES AND COMMENT! 



SOUTH EASTERN NATURALISTS. 



The members of the South Eastern Naturalists' Union, 

 although finding it inconvenient to hold their annual con- 

 ference at Reading, as was arranged a year ago, yet wisely 

 decided to ' carry on.' From June 6th to 9th the Union's 

 Conference was held in London, the rooms of the Linnean 

 Society being kindly lent for the purpose. These rooms — 

 even the large lecture theatre — proved too small, however, so 

 well attended were the meetings. That the Council acted 

 wisely in deciding to hold a conference was demonstrated by 

 the fact that about 150 members and associates took part in 

 the meetings and excursions. These were by no means all 

 Londoners, but assembled from the various counties in the 

 South East .of England. 



--•-,.. THE BULLETIN. 



A useful feature was the publication of daily bulletins of 

 four or eight pages each — five of which were issued in all. 

 These gave details of the forthcoming meetings, as well as 

 criticisms of those which had passed, with occasional items of 

 miscellaneous information more or less connected with the 

 Union and its work. They were edited by Mr. E. A. Martin, 

 F.G.S., the brother of the President, Dr. W. Martin, F.S.A. 

 The editor proved to be an excellent trumpeter ! 



THE PRESIDENT'S ADDRESS. 



Mr. E. A. Martin tells us that his brother's Presidential 

 address was much appreciated. " In great and eloquent words 

 the address will fall on willing scientific ears as a clarion call 

 to the service of arms at the present moment, and in the service 

 of peace in a happier time to come. The conclusion reached a 

 noble height, and we here reproduce the epilogue : — ' My 

 prologue was pitched in a minor key. The epilogue to my 

 story demands a less plaintive strain. But perhaps the keen 

 ear may have already detected dominant notes suggestive of 

 a brighter, even if not, a joyous theme. " England's on the 

 anvil — hear the hammers ring — Clanging from the Severn to 

 the Tyne." Amid the upheavals to which industries have been 

 subjected during the beating of ploughshares and pruning- 

 hooks into implements of war, it may be that the Country has 

 already proceeded apace towards greater triumphs. Old 

 machinery has been scrapped, antiquated custom flung away, 

 and resources have been adapted to the stern demands of a 

 People under arms. With new measures, new men have arisen. 



UNITY, ORGANISATION, CO-ORDINATION. 



Unity, organisation, co-ordination, precision are the weapons 

 with which without misgiving the future may be faced. And 



1917 July 1. 



