XVI 



estimated at a few thousands. It is allowed that our publica- 

 tion could not be continued from the ordinary income, and 

 every year kind donors specially supplement the available 

 sum by subscribing to a ' Publication Account.' This is 

 done because they feel that the Journal is vital to the well- 

 being of the Society, and without it our meetings would be 

 merely a pastime with no history or progress. But while we 

 get the Journal year by year, after a little anxiety to our 

 able Treasurer, does it not seem that this accumulation of 

 ' Transactions,' for which there is an inadequate demand, 

 points to an apparent waste of capital ? We know the 

 remedy does not lie in printing fewer copies each year, as 

 the saving thereby would be infinitesimal. Will the donors, 

 having gained their prime object in the fact of publication, 

 consent to them being offered at such a reduction as to tempt 

 demand ? Any business-like suggestion for re-converting 

 this stock into cash I am sure would be carefully considered 

 by the Council." 



The Council would much like to see the Society's Albums • 

 enriched by the addition of the portrait of every Member 

 who has not yet contributed to it. During the year that has 

 just passed only two additions were made, viz. Messrs. Ash- 

 down and Enock. 



They also much regret that the publication of PART I. of 

 the Abstract of " Proceedings " was again postponed, and 

 would urge that the prompt carrying out of this regulation 

 lies in the hands of the Members themselves, who, by paying 

 their subscriptions early in the year, can facilitate this much- 

 desired punctual issue. It is hoped that the Abstract for the 

 past year will at once be put in hand, and be ready for issue 

 much earlier than the last volume was. 



In bringing this Report to a conclusion your Council desire 

 to thank all those gentlemen who have so ungrudgingly come 

 forward to aid in the great object of the Society, viz. the 

 spread of Biological Science. They hope that in the future 

 this hearty and kindly assistance may be still more apparent, 

 especially in exhibiting all objects of interest, as well as by 

 introducing new members. 



