Report of Meetings. By the President. 489 



course to any one whose names were read out after dinner. He 

 thought that this state of things was unsatisfactory and incon- 

 sistent with the Club's position and prestige ; and with a view to 

 rectifying it, he begged leave to invite discussion upon the 

 suggestions, disclaiming, however, any idea of pushing any 

 thing which might not commend itself to the judgment of 

 old and experienced members, and especially to that of the 

 permanent officials, to whom, he was sure, that they were all 

 greatly indebted for their valuable and continued exertions, 

 particularly to Mr Hardy for his able editorship of the Pro- 

 ceedings, [applause]. 



The members then proceeded to consider Suggestion I. — Capt. 

 Norman explaining that the clause about allowing power to the 

 President to " nominate independently in special cases," was 

 intended to meet the contingency of there being no vacancy, and 

 a distinguished visitor, a naturalist of eminence, a noble host, 

 &c., being desirous of admission, or being asked to join. 



Dr F. Douglas bore testimony to the unmanageable proportions 

 to which the Club had reached, and approved of the limitation 

 of members. Considerable discussion followed in which Col. 

 Milne Home, the Eev. J. F. Bigge, Messrs. Bindmarsh, Muir- 

 head, and others took part. Eventually it was proposed by the 

 Eev. J. F. Bigge, seconded by Col. Milne Home, M.P., and 

 carried unanimously, that the following suggestion become a 

 Permanent Pule of the Club. 



"That the number of Members exclusive of Honorary*^' Mem- 

 bers shall not be allowed to exceed 400 ; and that names 

 for Candidates for election shall be brought forward in 

 priority of application, power being reserved to the Presi- 

 dent to nominate independently in special cases, irrespec- 

 tive of the number of members then in the Club." 

 *By which is understood Lady and Corresponding Members, and 



The second suggestion, namely: — 



" That in future the names of gentlemen who may desire to 

 be admitted to Membership can be brought forward by 

 the use of the (submitted and approved) Form only, which 

 in each case, the Secretary is requested to see properly 

 executed," 

 having been proposed as a Eule by Mr R. G. Bolam, and seconded 

 by Mr Heatley, was also carried mm. con. 



2l 



