37 
its whole body as well as from individual members. Your Council deem it 
an imperative duty to keep this important consideration always in mind, 
and to forewarn the Society against that inaction which is so perilous to its 
stability ; whilst therefore they gladly report the improved character of 
the papers which have been read, and the higher interest of the discus- 
sions which have taken place, both in the general and sectional meetings, 
they yet venture to urge upon all and each of the Members, the impor- 
tance of active co-operation. In the time of prosperity they yet feel it 
prudent, neither to slacken in their official duties, nor to omit such urgent 
persuasion as may be permitted to them in dwelling on the prospect of the 
future ; fully recognising the actual progress made and looking hopefully 
forward, they call upon the Society to press on with a long pull, a strong 
pull, and a pull altogether. Fairly established in numbers, influence, and 
scientific position, the Bristol Naturalists' Society prospers ; and whenever 
decay sets in, it will not be by default of those who stood its sponsors, or 
of those who first stood in the front array, but rather by the absence of 
willing recruits to fill the gap occasioned by lapse of time and exhaustion 
of the pioneers. 
The time has not yet arrived, and ought not to arrive, when our Society 
may " rest and be thankful" Let worthy labourers in quick succession 
extend the field of labour, and widen the aim and triumph of the Society. 
Let each individual effort stimulate to general action. Let united interest 
and sympathy encourage and stimulate individual exertion. Let us adopt 
the grand thought and words of our great poet — 
Men my brothers, men the workers, 
Ever working something new, 
What they have done, but the earnest 
Of the things which they shall do. 
The present Report may be conveniently arranged under the following 
general heads — 
I. Changes in the ' personeP of the Society. 
II. Papers and discussions at the general and sectional meetings. 
III. Excursions. 
IV. Publication of proceedings. 
V. Library. 
VI. Finance, 
