57 



the younger universities"; and the headquarters of many not- 

 able societies and associations, engaged in investigations and 

 researches of various kinds. The value of such lectures now that 

 the Peace Delegates are engaged in delimiting frontiers and 

 arranging regional and other capitals is self-evident. 



Among the lectures of a more general character the Chair- 

 man would like to mention the one on " East Dorset in Saxon 

 Days," by the Rev. A. C. Almack, M.A., Rector of Blandford 

 St. Mary; and the one on "The New Forest: Its History and 

 Natural History," by the Rev. J. E. Kelsali, M.A., Rector of 

 New Milton. Each of these lectures threw most valuable light 

 on the subject with which it dealt. As Russia has attracted so 

 much attention the Chairman thought that a lecture on "The 

 Crimea," describing the war of 1854-6, illustrated by slides from 

 photographs taken by himself would be of interest, and he ven- 

 tures to say that, judging from the way the lecture was received,, 

 he was right in his surmise. 



As the continuance of the War precluded the use of vehicles 

 for long excursions during the Summer Session, the Chairman 

 decided to try the experiment of "Afternoon Walks," and these 

 appear to have given pleasure to many members, combined as 

 the walks were with a series of lecturettes. The first of these 

 walks was through the Bournemouth Upper Gardens, when Mr. 

 Backhouse, F.R.H.S., kindly described the trees and shrubs; 

 Dr. de Castro, M.R.C.S. (Eng.) gave an excellent lecture on the 

 growth of Bournemouth and the laying out of the grounds; and 

 Dr. Penrose, M.D., F.R.C.P., F.Z.S., M.B.O.U., concluded 

 with a charming account of the birds of the district. 

 The second walk was through Branksome Park to 

 Shalimar, the home in the woods of Mr. and Mrs. 

 Lyon, visiting on the w r ay the beautiful grounds of the " Wick," 

 by the kind invitation of the owner, Mr. Sturdy, who welcomed 

 the members himself. Three lecturettes were given 

 on this occasion : the first, an excellent resume of the history of 

 Poole, by the Rev. H. Shaen Solly, M.A. ; the second, an educa- 

 tional lecture by Mr. Woodhouse, A. CP., which led to a most 

 int eresting discussion that was evidentlv much appreciated ; and 

 the th'rd, a most amusing entomological lecture by Mr. J. Neale, 

 B.A., illustrated by a number of striking coloured drawings by 

 the lecturer. 



The Chairman would like to record the satisfaction that "he 

 feels at the happy termination of the terrible struggle that the 

 country has had to sustain for more than for four years. The 

 advent of Peace will enable the Bournemouth Natural Science 

 Society to extend its useful w r ork in various directions. The 

 coming visit of the British Association to Bournemouth will be 

 a ejreat event in the history of the Society, and should prove a 

 stimulus to all the sections, and to none more so than to the 

 important Sect : on of which Mr. Lyon has the honour to be the 

 Chairman. C.L. 



