NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY 



OF 



NORTHUMBERLAND, DURHAM AND NEWCASTLE- 

 UPON-TYNE. 



REPORT OF THE COUNCIL 



FOR 1916-1917. 



Foe the third successive year the Great European War has 

 dominated the thought and claimed the energy of the nation : 

 the help of every available man and woman has been needed 

 and the resources of the country taxed to carry on the stern 

 struggle in which Britain stands side by side with her Allies. 

 There has been less time to devote to Natural History and the 

 number of workers has been fewer. So far as the Hancock 

 Museum is concerned the time of the staff has been directed 

 upon the conservation of the collections, and it has not been 

 possible to undertake much work of a progressive character. 



Several of the younger members of the Society, men of 

 promise and ability, have made the great sacrifice during the 

 year under revrew. Of these, mention may be made of Major 

 J. Leadbitter Knott, who interested himself in the social and 

 political life of Newcastle ; Captain Reginald E. Bryant, 

 member of the Council, a keen sportsman and naturalist ; 

 Lieutenant Hugh V. Charlton, a gifted artist and naturalist, 

 whose brush cleverly depicted bird life, and his younger 

 brother. Captain J. M. Charlton, a good ornithologist, who 

 thougli not actually a member, was a frequent visitor to the 

 Museum, to which he presented specimens from time to time. 

 Other members are serving with the Colours at home and 

 abroad, and it is earnestly hoped that they may be spared to 

 return in safety. Amongst the older members who have been 

 lost to the Society are Professor Daniel Oliver, L.L.D., F.L.S., 

 F.R.S., one of the Keepers of Kew Herbarium, who passed 



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