THE VICTORIAN NATURALIST. 49 



its value, and before the close of another year, we confidently antici- 

 pate that the whole of the 250 copies of each issue will be disposed of 

 each month. Contributions in the shape of natural history notes, 

 are also earnestly solicited for the journal. As our endeavours must 

 be to make it as interesting as possible to the general public, 

 our appeal in this direction also will, therefore, we hope, be well 

 responded to by members and others, as there can be few who in the 

 course of their walks in the fields or parks, do not observe something 

 worthy of recording. For the present, 250 copies are published 

 monthly, at a cost of £3, so that you can see how easy it would be 

 not only to make the journal self-supporting, but even an active 

 benefit to ihe Club, as the sale of, say 200 copies, would realise £5, 

 thus lea\dng a surplus of £2, and thereby justify an increase in size 

 from 8 to 16 pages, an increase which is most urgently desirable. 



The Annual Conversazione took place on Wednesday evening, 

 30th April, and was in every way successful. The address and 

 lecturettes wer^ carefully listened to, and the exhibits were both 

 numerous and interesting. As full details will appear in the 

 ■" Victorian l!^aturalist" for May, we do not consi.ler it necessary to 

 further attend to it here. We would, however, whilst on the subject 

 of the conversazione, express a strong recommendation that at the 

 next one, there may be large numbers of live exhibits, as these, with 

 remarks as to their habits, &c., coidd not fail to form a great source 

 •of attraction. Members therefore, will we hope, bear this recommen- 

 dation in mind, and at once see about obtaining specimens, so that 

 they may have them ready in ample time. 



The Treasurer's statement shows a substantial balance in hand, 

 and, as many back subscriptions are still to be received, a portion of 

 which Avill doubtless be paid, and as also there have been expenses 

 which will not be necessary during the ensuing year, we think we 

 may fairly consider our position a very sound and satisfactory one. 



The Committee meetings have been attended as follows, viz. : — 



Mr. Watts ------ 11 



„ Leith ------ 12 



„ Howitt, unwell for the last 8 months, owing to a 



rail'vay accident _ - - - — 



„ Matthias, absent from the colony for greater part of year 2 



„ Best ------ 12 



„ Bailey ------ 11 



„ French - - - - - - 9 



„ Lucas - - - - - - *^ 



„ Sayce ~ ~ ~ ' ' ' A 



„ Barnard ------ 10 



„ Gatliff - . - - - - 12 



In conclusion, we would urge upon our successors the necessity 

 of inducing more of the members to contiibute papers, as it is 

 principally by this means that the success of the Club is to be 



