46 
submit to-night what had occurred to him in making up his report, viz., 
that the subscription shouki be 7s, 6d., instead of 5s., and if it was 
agreeable to the meeting, he would willingly undertake the little extra 
trouble of collecting another half-crown. This would place them on a 
firm basis, and enable them to work with a will. Another suggestion he 
had to make was that the financial year should in future correspond with 
the Society's year. This would be especially necessary were he to give up 
the office of treasurer, because the accounts would be very complicated to 
a new treasurer, and the change could be very simply efi^ected. If they 
all gave another half-crown, it would carry them on till next May very 
nicely, and thenceforward had another subscription of 7s. 6d., they 
would have means without interfering with the accounts at all, after which 
the treasurer's financial year could be from May to May, the same as the 
Society's year. The policy of this course must be palpable to all, and he 
regretted there were not more present to hear his remarks, as he should 
wish the change to be made in deference to a general opinion and not to 
the opinion of a few. If agreeable to the members generally that the 
half-crown should be collected at once, they would have the satisfaction of 
knowing that everything would be conducted — economically, of course — 
without the slightest source of uneasiness. 
Mr. C. F. Ravis then moved the following resolution: — "That the 
report now read, together with the Treasurer's account, be approved, and 
printed under the direction of the Council, and that a hst of the officers 
and members of the Society be added thereto." Mr. Ravis regretted that 
so few members had heard the report read, because it came with more 
freshness and power to the mind when read in an assembly. The Society 
had all the elements of success in it — several guides and pioneers, men of 
hia;h attainments in science — others of more moderate capacities, but still 
able to do good work, and also those, probably many, who thought they 
knew and could do but little, but who, he was persuaded, knew much more 
than they thought, and could do much more than they thought. If all 
worked together, as was suggested in the report, the Society would go on 
and prosper. The speaker then pointed out how advantageously the 
Society was situated in respect of materials for work, and remarked that 
their object was by no means attained by the mere collection and naming 
of specimens ; the great aim was the improvement of their own intellectual 
capacities and powers. 
Mr. R. S. Standerwick seconded the resolution, which was adopted 
unanimously. 
Mr. Henry K. Jordan, F.G.S., proposed " That a contribution of 
ten guineas from the surplus funds in the Treasurer's hands, be presented 
to the Institution ; that the Honorary Secretary be requested at the same 
time to convey the best thanks of the Naturalists' Society for the kindness 
with which they have been met by the Committee of the Institution." He 
