NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY 



OF 



NORTHUMBERLAND, DURHAM AND NEWCASTLE- 

 UPON-TYNE. 



REPORT OF THE COUNCIL 



FOR 1915-1916. 



The great War has spread during the course of the year until 

 the whole of Central Europe has become one huge battlefield. 

 The struggle is being waged with grim determination on land 

 and sea, while in the laboratories and factories, men and 

 women have been engaged in perfecting and producing 

 munitions. In these circumstances, it is not a matter of 

 wonder that there has been little inclination or leisure for the 

 pursuit of Natural History. 



Armstrong College is still occupied as a Military Hospital : 

 hence the arrangement by which sections of its educational 

 work are carried on in certain parts of the Hancock Museum 

 has been continued. The use of the library for a week during 

 June in which to hold the Cambridge Higher Local 

 Examination was again granted. It is a matter of satisfaction 

 to the Council to help in such work. 



The financial resources of the country have been urgently 

 needed to meet the cost of conducting the war : this has 

 naturally affected contributions to the Endowment Fund. 

 One lesson which has been taught is that in the future more 

 thought and attention must be given to scientific research in 

 its various branches, and for this purpose provision must be 

 made. It is hoped that after the end of the War the Council 

 may have the support of those interested in their particular 

 work and be enabled to establish the Fund on such a basis as 

 will enable them to make the collections in the Museum of 

 greater educational value. 



