i5 



to enable this to be done the coming year would, I think, be a 

 good time for it. Having a President who is connected with 

 so many microscopists, it would be the means of combining 

 the two branches of science together, and thus form a most 

 enjoyable evening. 



All the students of natural history have to congratulate 

 themselves on the success obtained by the decision arrived at 

 in the House of Commons against the encroachment by the 

 Great Eastern Railway Company upon one of the best parts 

 of Epping Forest. For this boon we have to thank those kind 

 members of Parliament (but not those who spoke of entomo- 

 logists as " bug-hunters " and " butterfly fanciers " in such a 

 desparaging manner), and also to the members of the Essex Field 

 Club, who, with their very able secretary, did so much to assist 

 in getting the bill thrown out. If our much honoured friend and 

 supporter the late Mr. Edward Newman, had been alive now, how 

 he would have rejoiced at this success. 



Unfortunately, as it has been in each year, some of our fellow- 

 workers in Natural History have been taken from us. This year 

 we have lost through death two very able entomologists, the 

 first being Mr. Benjamin Cook, better known perhaps in the 

 North of England as a good working entomologist. The other 

 Professor Zeller, whose reputation was so great both in England 

 and on the Continent. 



In a very able address read by the late President of the South 

 London Microscopical Society last March, he referred to a very 

 noble work by Smiles — " The Life of the Scotch Naturalist- 

 Thomas Edward." I could not rest until I had read the book 

 from beginning to end. This interesting work was most kindly 

 presented to our library by our late President, and I would 

 venture to suggest that each of our members (more particularly 



