TRANSACTIONS OF THE SOCIETY. 



The Eighth Annual Soiree of the Society was held in 

 the Lecture Hall of the Guille-Alles Library on February 14, 

 1911. As on previous occasions the entertainment consisted 

 of short lectures interspersed with instrumental and vocal 

 music. The artistes were Miss R. Edmonds, Miss A. Phillipp, 

 Mrs. Campbell and Mr. H. F. Morres, to whom, with the 

 lecturers, and Mr. F. Tanner, who was responsible for the 

 organization, the best thanks of the Society are due. 



The President of the Society, Col. T. W. M. de Guerin, 

 referred to the aims of the Society, whose work, he thought, 

 compared favourably with that of similar societies on the 

 mainland. 



It had lost from various causes some of its most zealous 

 workers, who could ill be spared from such a small community. 

 He trusted that the membership would continue to increase, 

 and that the Society's work would not be crippled for want of 

 funds. He suggested that the idea, discussed some time ago, 

 of obtaining phonographic records of the island patois which 

 is fast dying out, should be carried into effect. Colonel de 

 Guerin concluded by reminding the audience of the very 

 valuable relics of the past to be seen in the Lukis Museum. 



Mr. W. Sharp folloAved with a most interesting paper on 

 " Animal Mimicry." In this he gave many instances of 

 animals, birds and insects which, to escape the attention of 

 their enemies, adapted themselves in such a wonderful manner 

 to the trees, leaves, branches, soil, &c, on which they rested, 

 that it required very careful search to see them. 



Mr. A. Collenette gave a short lecture and demonstration 

 on " Matter," with vacuum tube experiments. This was 

 extremely interesting, Mr. Collenette dealing with his subject 

 in a most lucid manner. 



The last lecture was by the Rev. F. J. S. Wyeth, B,Sc., 

 M.A., who dealt with " The Elephant and his Ancestors." 

 The learned lecturer traced clearly the various stages in the 

 evolution of the present types of elephants. The lecture, as 

 well as Mr. Sharp's, was illustrated by a number of lantern 



