1901-1902.] 29 



Moor, photographs of Spanish gypsies as modern cave 

 dwellers near Seville, specimens of Kiesulguhr from Aber- 

 deen, and other objects. Mr. John Vinycomb, M.R.I. A., 

 showed some delicate specimens of three-colour process work 

 from large half-tone blocks; Mr. W. H. Patterson, M.R.I.A., 

 water colour sketches of Irish subjects; Miss Andrews, an early- 

 example of photography and some very fine views of the 

 Antrim coast painted by Andrew Nicholi, 1828. Mr. W. H. 

 Phillips had a number of rare ferns, and variations in 

 mistletoe; Mr. J. H. Davies, rare mosses collected in the 

 Hebrides by Dr. Braithwaite, and some from Ireland; the 

 structure and form of the leaf of one of these was seen 

 through Mr. Gray's microscope, and much admired. Miss 

 Wheeler had a few specimens of protective mimicry in ani- 

 mals and a trap-door spider's nest; and Mr. Godfrey Macoun, 

 delicate samples of objects in jade and agate from China. 

 During the evening many gained instruction from Mr. Gray's 

 micro-demonstration of form and colour in natural history 

 objects. The collection as a whole was one of the finest that 

 had been got together in recent years, and reflected great 

 credit on the various exhibitors. 



A short business meeting was held during the evening, 

 when the President (Mr. F. J. Bigger) gave a short address. 

 In the course of his remarks he called attention to the 

 comprehensive character of the exhibits, and referred to 

 the names that many of the members had made for themselves 

 in their respective studies. Speaking on the subject of the 

 destruction of animals, he said — It is painfully sad to see the 

 often-repeated paragraphs in our papers of the capture and 

 destruction of wild birds, and of our rarer animals and of the 

 bird visitors that occasionally favour us with their presence. 

 Our rare birds are now almost extinct. Could not their 

 habits be noted and their presence rejoiced in without their 

 slaughter being occasioned? Do we not all strongly object 

 to our lady friends decking their heads with borrowed plum- 

 age, thus entailing the destruction of thousands of our most 

 beautiful birds ? Why, then, should we wish to see the rarer 



