548 REPORT OF THE COUNCIL 



the wisdom of it has become increasingly plain. Your Council 

 therefore earnestly hope that, far from leading to any slacken- 

 ing of support, the late Mr. Crawhall's action will serve as an 

 incentive to others to follow his example. Experience seems 

 to show that there is little prospect of any great increase 

 in the number of annual subscribers. Membership in such 

 a body as the Natural History Society, where much in the 

 way of personal return for the subscription is not expected, 

 will naturally appeal only to a limited number. There is more 

 to be hoped for from additions to capital brought about by 

 further legacies ; and nothing could give the Council more 

 satisfaction than to see a substantial maintenance fund being 

 in this way gradually built up, so that eventually the income 

 from investments might suffice for the ordinary current ex- 

 penses, leaving the members' subscriptions free year by year 

 for such special purposes as the publication of transactions, 

 the provision of new cases, and the purchase of specimens. 



