REPORT FOR 1885—1886. 



As will be seen from the list given below, the number of 

 plants received for distribution during the recent exchange was 

 about 4,754, from 28 members. 



The thanks of the members are due to Prof. Babington, who 

 very kindly looked over all the Rubi received, and also to Mr. 

 A. Bennett, F.L.S., for examining several hundred critical plants. 

 I take this opportunity, too, of expressing my personal thanks 

 to Mr. Bennett, who has generously aided me in very many ways, 

 since the formation of the Club. 



It has been suggested by some of our members that the 

 Club should join the Linnaea International Association of 

 National and Special Botanical Clubs, for the exchange of dried 

 plants from all parts of the world. I give herewith an extract 

 from a printed circular recently issued by G. E. Hylten-Cavallius, 

 the Director of the Linnaea Association, and I shall be glad if 

 each memher will kindly send me word, not later than the ist of 

 May, his opinion with regard to the proposed arrangement, and 

 also whether he would join the English branch of the Linnaea, 

 if such is formed. 



"In the interests of Botanical Science, and in the desire to 

 promote an easy exchange of specimens between Botanists of 

 various countries, we established in 1882 an International 

 Botanical Exchange Club, bearing the name of " Linnaea." 

 This Club has, from the time of its formation down to the 

 present year, worked with much success, and has been the 

 medium of communication between Botanists living in different 

 parts of the world ; but we have found by experience that a 

 single Society, like our own, cannot obtain satisfactory results 

 in the international exchange of Botanical specimens, as the 

 work is loo heavy for one Club, and the cost of carriage too 

 expensive for distant members. We think that these incon- 

 veniences can be remedied by an association of the Exchange 

 Clubs now at work in different parts of the world, and therefore, 

 we are induced to invite such Clubs, as well as Botanists in 

 general, to assist us in establishing an International Association 

 of National and Special Botanical Clubs for the exchange of 

 dried plants from all parts of the world." 



Alfred R. Waller, 



April, 1886. Hon, Sec. 



