REPORT OF THE COUNCIL. ^It 



presented by Capt. King, of one of the Hartlepool trawlers. 

 It is to be hoped that others who have similar opportunities 

 may be induced to follow Capt. King's example in saving the 

 valuable objects which are not infrequently brought to the 

 surface in the course of commercial fishing operations. Two 

 notable additions have been made to the botanical section. 

 Dr. T. H. Walker has presented a handsome cabinet contain- 

 ing the collection of micro-fungi formed by the late Mr. 

 Swallow. The fungi are preserved as beautifully finished 

 microscope slides and are of great value for reference. The 

 other addition is likewise a valuable accession to the Society's 

 reference collections. It consists of a systematic series of 

 British mosses, selected by the Rev. A. J. Campbell from 

 packets previously in the Museum. Mr. Campbell has 

 named, mounted, and arranged the selected specimens, and 

 has also provided a type-written catalogue for use with 

 them. Two other donations may be mentioned which are 

 not objects for the Museum, but which possess interesting 

 associations with the history of the Society. These are the 

 painting by Miss M. J. Hancock of a scene at Oatlands, 

 the Surrey residence of W. C. Hewitson, and later of 

 John Hancock ; and the early certificate of membership of 

 the Society, bearing signatures of several of its most dis- 

 tinguished original members. The painting was presented 

 by Miss Lambert, and the certificate by the Rev. W. J. Win- 

 gate. These and other gifts received during the year will be 

 found acknowledged in full in an appendix to the report. 



The fire insurance policies on the property of the Society 

 have been reconsidered by the Council. It has been found 

 possible by a fresh arrangement to obtain a considerably fuller 

 insurance for the same annual premium as before, and new 

 policies on this basis are being prepared. 



Another question which has been under discussion is that 

 of the incorporation of the Society. This question has been 

 discussed once before in recent years, and on that occasion, 

 as in the present instance, the conclusion come to was that 

 in the case of the Natural History Society the advantages 



