FIELD MEETINGS FOR I91I 365 



our local Natural History Societies, and would act as an organ 

 towards the accomplishment of our ambitions, the encourage- 

 ment and guidance of local workers, and might bring to being 

 other useful schemes not standing alone but as the integral 

 parts of one united whole, such as : — 



a — The mapping out of natural (or defined) areas within 

 the counties' boundaries. 



b — Systematic stirveys of these areas in both counties, and 

 c — The co-ordination (without affecting the control, scope 

 and status) of all the counties' Natural History Societies. 



The scheme I have thus briefly and baldly brought before 

 you is (as regards the first two headings at least) I feel very 

 strongly, one that is necessary. In the carrying out it will 

 prove of distinct value to the museum as an institution, to our 

 Society and Field Section and to all local naturalists. It will 

 at first entail a fair amount of systematic work and an expend- 

 iture which I am glad to say is smaller than I first anticipated : 

 but on development such work will, I consider, bear distinctly 

 important results. 



Throughout the season the meetings have been well attended, 

 and their success has been largely augmented by the wonder- 

 fully open weather that prevailed. 



I would here wish to express my hearty gratitude to those 

 friends who, through their local or special knowledge, have 

 added to the interest of the outings, and especially to our hard 

 working, far-seeing secretary, Mr. Robson, whose powers of 

 organisation and energy have always been so generously 

 placed at our disposal. The pleasantly written press notices, 

 too, are of distinct help to our society, and serve to bring before 

 the public the many pleasures to be found in the study of 

 nature. 



And now, gentlemen, I must close what, I am afraid, has 

 proved to be a long and, to some at least, a tedious report, 

 with my warm and hearty appreciation to all those whose 

 co-operation has secured to us such a pleasant and successful 

 summer session. 



