1904-1905.] 299 



Mr. S. A. Stewart, had been elected an associate of the Linnean 

 Society, and had also received a further mark of honour from 

 the First Lord of the Treasury, Mr. Balfour. (Applause.) An- 

 other, their esteemed friend Mr. W. H. Phillips, had been 

 elected president of the British Pteridological Society, a most 

 distinguished honour, and a recognition of his life's work 

 amongst the ferns of Ireland. They offered both these gentle- 

 men their heartiest congratulations. (Applause.) The 

 Winter Session of the Club consisted formerly of a series of 

 monthly meetings, at each of which a paper was read, and a 

 short discussion followed. This form was apt to become 

 fossilised, and the Committee recognised the fact that life and 

 energy were also necessary, and that beaten tracks should not* 

 be too rigidly adhered to. In order therefore to brin^ mem- 

 bers more in touch with each other — and their work and 

 special studies — the Club-room was established, and opened 

 every Wednesday evening to allow members to meet and 

 confer one with another. So far this has been successful, but 

 they were desirous of still further extending its usefulness, 

 and they earnestly asked all who desired to give or receive 

 information, or in any way to help on the work of the Club, 

 to take advantage of these informal Wednesday evening meet- 

 ings. He might mention that at least one member of the 

 Committee was always present, and that their Library was 

 then open to every member of the Club. Another important 

 point he desired to mention was that the sections were open 

 to all members. He found that some young members had a 

 hesitation to join them — even though they were anxious to 

 commence such studies as botany or geology. He could, how- 

 ever, assure them if they sent their names to the Secretaries 

 they would receive hearty welcome and encouragement from 

 all members of the section. In connection with these studies 

 he would like to mention that classes for botany, geology, 

 physiology, and also a new class, which should prove very in- 

 teresting, on determinative mineralogy had been formed by 

 Mr. Forth in the new Technical Institute, which students in 

 these subjects should take advantage of; and Mr. Gough, of 



