pkesident's addeess. 21 



treasury will not bear any additional burden without crippling its 

 ordinary publishing resources, members are asked for contribu- 

 tions of five shillings each towards this special object, for which 

 they will receive in return copies of all photographs and letter- 

 press that are issued. The Committee is ready to begin its more 

 active duty as soon as the trees are in full leaf and the sun smiles 

 approval, and I would urge upon all our members that they 

 should, without delay (for this is important), send in their names 

 to be placed on the subscription-list. 



In connection with this subject the Chairman of the Com- 

 mittee, Mr. Gr. Clayton Atkinson, exhibited at one of our Even- 

 ing Meetings a simple little instrument he had devised, to replace 

 the pocket sextant for taking the height of trees. It consists of 

 a small right-angle triangle of brass, with a transverse pivot for 

 suspension so placed, that when freely hung, the brass of the 

 triangle is horizontal. The basis for calculation is readily ob- 

 tained by receding from the tree until the hypothenuse is in a 

 direct line with the topmost branch. This instrument has been 

 dedicated to the Club, and by the kindness of its originator one, 

 made under his direction, has been placed in the hands of the 

 Secretaries for the use of the members. 



Looking for a moment beyond the narrow confines of our own 

 Association the year has been in many ways one of activity and 

 promise to naturalists. No department of Natural History has 

 had greater hold on our members than Marine Zoology, and in 

 none has the Club rendered better service to science. "We can 

 scarcely therefore have witnessed the departure of the Challenger 

 for its long cruise without an enthusiastic wish for the success of 

 its mission. The experience gained on board the Porcupine and 

 the Lightning in the summers of 1868, 1869, and 1870, in what 

 may now be regarded as experimental voyages leading up to 

 this greater undertaking, has been brought to bear in the fitting 

 out of the new expedition, and its arrangements have been con- 

 ducted with a forethought and completeness which leave nothing 

 to be desired. Of the men to whom the work is entrusted, no 

 name could have been suggested that could have given greater 



