4. 



TK2 FCHr.ATI,- ,jJT .^3 .1 .VnTLji Iff 3T0RY SOgp'rY OF-JAu.JCA 



Durin- the wee.: of August 25th, 1940, a part 1 / of seven- 

 teen took part "in a field trip sponsored by the Institute of Jamaica. 

 That party of people has formed the nucleus of the Natural History 

 Society of Jamaica which now numbers 35 members. Realising that no 

 exports on the Jamaican flora and fauna were available, the objects. of 

 the field trip were to pool information and to learn together. 



The Great House and the Coffee House at Clydesdale served 

 as headquarters for a full week of Nature Study, The valley of the Clyde 

 River and the Blue Mountain regions of Cinchona, New Haven 'Gap, Morce's 

 Gap and Silver Hill, were explored and collections of the flora and 

 fauna were made., Mr. C.Swabey, the Conservator of Forests, guided the 

 field work and. discussions for a full day devoted to the study of soil 



erosion and conservation. 



Resulting from the enthusiasm shown by those who partici- 

 pated in this first, venture , a meeting was held at the Institute on 

 September 17th, 194Q to discuss future undertakings. At that time it was 

 unanimously decided to form a Society, and it was agreed that regular 

 field trips' would be desirable and useful, especially for Science 

 teachers, 



A second field trip was sponsored by the Institute of 

 Jamaica, from January 2nd to 5th, in conjunction with the inaugural 

 meeting of the Society which took place on the evening of January 4th. 

 Mr, Fraser, the Headmaster of Munro College, very kindly offered the 

 facilities of the School as headquarters for this programme. 



Foundation members are those persons who were present at 

 the inaugural meeting: Mr, and Mrs-. C, B.Lewis, Misses M. and I, Jeffrey 

 Smith, D.Rainforth, 0, and 3. Baxter, V.Chevannes, D.Alexander, B.Drew, 

 N.Nash, M,Dav;son, C.Coolc, L, Scudamorc, Messrs, R.P.Bengry, W,M.-§nee, 

 J. C. Jury, C.Swaboy, D.Burrowes. and iC.Tai, Mr, Raymond Philipson. of 

 the British Museum (Nat. Hist.) who visited Jamaica with the Cambridge 

 University Expedition in 1939, was also elected a foundation* member .\ 



"The object of the now Sooiety is the encouragement and \ 

 advancement .of the study of Natural History in Jamaica, The constitution 

 of the Society is given on the membership card, 



PLANS FOR SUMMER ■, . • 



- w e are proposing to hold a "Nature Study Camp with? head <- 

 ouarters at Clydesdale, duri ig'the last two weeks of August, Actually, we 

 hope that this camp will come to be an annual fixture which .will'edevelop 

 a useful programme ox study furthering the aims of the Society,' " 



Clydesdale seems to be a very suitable spot for. the,. .camp 

 for several reasons:- (1) It is removed from settlements yet. it ..is, fairly 

 accessible and can be amroached, to within a mile, by car. { 2) Accommoda 

 tion is fairly substantial, (3) The valley of the. Clyde River is ..probably 

 the best wooded in the Blue Mountain area. (4) The heartr-©*- the Blue Moun 

 tains can easily be reached from Clydesdale. (5) The Clyde River provides 

 vat or for drinking and bathing as well as an opportunity for the study of 

 acuatio life. (6) The problems of erosion and soil conservation are . well 

 illustrated in the region. (7) The climate is cool and invigorating. ; 



The programme will include much field v/onc, talks by. the 

 members, and discussion groups, Occassionally visiting scientists may be 

 irrlucac- to speak and to take a general part in the programme, fe hope that 

 research studies. can be developed, aid we intend to get together some 

 scientific apparatus %vith this end in vie'.'. 



.. The Executive Committee will be very glad to have the views 

 members regarding the summer camp proposals. 



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