40 THE VICTOKIAN NATURALIST. 



regretfully tendered his resignation in January last as editor of 

 the Naturalist, a post he had held since its inception nearly nine 

 years ago. A unaminous vote of thanks was accorded him for 

 his valuable services, and at a subsequent meeting he was en- 

 thusiastically elected an hon. member of the Club. 



"Fortunately, at this juncture the committee were able to 

 secure the services of Mr. F. G. A. Barnard, whose unselfish 

 work both as secretary (for 6 years) and librarian (3 years) 

 specially fit him for the position. His appointment as editor will 

 doubtless ensure a continuance of that successful issue which has 

 characterized the publication in the past. 



" The Library continues to increase, chiefly owing to donations 

 from the Governments and scientific societies, &c., some 90 books, 

 reports, or parts of proceedings having been added during the 

 year. The number of books exchanged at each monthly meeting 

 is increasing, but some inconvenience is caused to members by 

 borrowers so much exceeding the time allowed for the loan of 

 books. 



" The ordinary meetings have been held regularly during the 

 past year, and the increased attendance shows that they are appre- 

 ciated by many of the members, the average attendance reaching 

 as high as 75, as compared with 70 of last year. 



"In addition to this ordinary monthly meeting an additional 

 one has been held during the past few months for practical work. 

 It was hoped when this special monthly meeting was first insti- 

 tuted, that it would be taken advantage of by those who favour 

 different branches of natural history work ; but as yet the meetings 

 have been given up principally to microscopic work. Amongst the 

 subjects taken up may be mentioned — rotifers, mosses, polyzoa, 

 sponges (two meetings), micro-fungi, protozoa, photo-micro- 

 graphy, and rusts and smuts. Fair attendance at every meeting 

 shows that a want is being supplied, and it is hoped that the 

 new executive will see its way to give the experiment a 

 further trial. Systematic and regular attendance at these meet- 

 ings must be productive of good to those who can avail them- 

 selves of this opportunity of obtaining practical advice from 

 those whose special leanings and opportunities have enabled 

 them to follow particular lines. 



" As intimated in the report last year the prize competition for 

 natural history specimens by young collectors has been continued, 

 and although the number of exhibits does not quite reach those 

 of last year there is an evident advance in the quality of the ex- 

 hibits, notably in the botanical section, which includes six exhibits 

 out of a total of fifteen. Last year this section was undoubtedly 

 the weakest, and the present strength of it is, therefore, very en- 

 couraging, and without doubt forms a strong argument in favour of 

 a continuance of the scheme — since once it is generally known and 



