m 



are to be found with others in the " Proceedings " of the last 

 Session. Two Conversaziones have been held ; one on March 11th, 

 which was highly successful, both from the number of objects 

 exhibited, and from the attendance; and one on October 21st, 

 which was almost a failure, as only one or two sent any specimens. 

 An admirable experimental lecture was given on April 8th, entitled 

 *' Electrical Discharge in high vacua," for which the society is 

 deeply indebted to the Eev. J. Burgess. 



" A successful Field Day was held at Lydden Spout on August 

 6th, when Mr. Walton, with his usual kindness and ability, con- 

 ducted a botanical ramble. And on December 16th the proceedings 

 took the form of a Discussion on Darwinism, concerning which 

 there was so much to be said that the conclusion was postponed to 

 a future meeting. 



"As a society we may claim to be fairly prosperous, if not 

 successful ; we number at present 103 members, and like other 

 prosperous societies, we are getting into debt. I acknowledge that 

 our balance sheet made up last Christmas shows a sum of 

 £1 6s. ll^d. in hand, but since then an account of long standing 

 for printing has come in amounting to over eight pounds, none of 

 which belongs to the present year. Out of our 103 members, 28 

 pay a subscription of 5s., the rest of half- a -crown. The committee 

 would warmly appreciate the offer of any of the latter to enter the 

 higher ranks. We are in correspondence with the following societies ' 

 with which we exchange copies of proceedings : — Academy of 

 Natural Science, Philadelphia ; Huddersfield Naturalists' Society ; 

 East Kent Natural History Society ; Brighton and Sussex Natural 

 History Society ; Eastbourne Natural History Society. Copies 

 of their papers are on the table. 



" During the past year large and valuable additions have been 

 made to the Museum which is still in our charge, and for these the 

 town is indebted to the enlightened enterprise of our Town Council, 

 which has for some time taken a real and solid interest in the 

 collection. They look very favourably too on the proposition for 

 securing a site in Eendezvous Street for new public buildings which, 

 as Museum and School of Science and Art shall form a centre of 

 education for the older youths of our borough. Not the least 

 pleasing and satisfactory point in connection with thia is the fact 

 that 1300 ratepayers, representing all occupations and grades of 

 society spontaneously sent a petition to the Council in favour of 

 the project. One has had the pleasing dream recurring at intervals 

 for some years, but there is I believe at last a prospect of its 

 realisation. 



" In conclusion, I have to give notice that at the meeting in 

 May our indefatigable friend, Mr. Walton, will give us a paper on 



