XXX 
the stuffed birds was unsatisfactory, a report on the subject has 
been obtained from Mr. Vingoe, of Penzance, who writes: “some 
“of them are in a very bad state and must be withdrawn from 
“the Museum; all the cases require close fastening to exclude 
“moths.” He recommends that the work should be undertaken 
early next spring, and your Council consider that course advisable. 
A draft of a Bill for the Preservation of National Monuments 
having been forwarded to the Institution by its author, Sir John 
Lubbock, its provisions have been carefully discussed at meetings 
of the Council, and a report on some of the practical difficulties 
which its execution would involve has been transmitted to him 
through the President, whilst the object sought to be obtained by 
the Bill was most strongly advocated. 
The number of the Journal issued in April last is perhaps the 
most valuable which the Institution has yet produced ; its value 
being greatly due to the admirable address from the late Presi- 
dent, Mr. Henwood, the practical importance of which has been 
so justly estimated that a considerable part of it has been trans- 
lated into French by direction of la Commission des Annales des 
Mines. By the permission of your Council, a portion of it has been 
separately printed for the use of Students in the classes of the 
Miners’ Association of Devon and Cornwall. It is to be regretted 
that, notwithstanding the liberality of Mr. Henwood, who bore 
the whole cost of printing his Address, the expense of this number 
has weighed heavily on the income of the Institution. Your 
Council have devoted much attention to the consideration of ar- 
rangements by which these charges might be reduced, and their 
enquiries will still anxiously be directed to that end. It is clear 
that it is mainly through the printing of communications that the 
interest of those who work for us, as well as that of our more 
distant members, can be maintained ; and although the condensa- 
tion of some papers may be imperative, you will agree with us in 
the desire to encourage their production. It has been decided 
that in future the price of a number of the Journal to non- 
subscribers shall be four shillings. 
Copies of back numbers of the Journal have been sent to the 
Honorary Secretary of the Society for sending out books to re- 
place those destroyed by the late fire at Chicago. 
The Annual Excursion held on August 19th and 20th was 
most successful, and a great deal of practical information was 
given at the various halting places by gentlemen who were 
thoroughly familiar with their subjects. Owing, however, to various 
causes, it was found that the prices charged for the tickets had not 
been sufficiently high to cover the expenses, and an adverse balance 
has been accordingly thrown on the funds of the Institution. The 
