5 
visible from a window or in a garden, may be made as interesting 
as a chapter of White’s History of Selborne. Another part of 
the compilation of Fauna and Flora is, I understand, far advanced 
under Mr. Barretts hand, and, when the whole is completed, 
it will, wo hope, be a valuable addition to the Natural History 
Literature of the county. We have further to acknowledge, 
though we do not print, Mr. Crowfoot’s paper “ On the con- 
tending theories of Spontaneous Generation ; ” also to thank 
the Kev. J. Bates for laying before us the present state of 
knowledge re.specting “Sun Spots and Solar Eclipses.” 
Our miscellaneous collection of facts contains a few curiosities, 
but I regret that we have not kept a fuller record of our conversa- 
tions, where such facts generally drop out from the experience of 
members, without the formal preparation of a paper. One iioint, 
however, I may bo allowed to supply, viz.— that evidence has been 
given that the Sea Birds I’rotection Act is already doing good, 
by the return to their old haunts in increased numbers, of the 
vanous species whicli have for many years frequented them. 
It is clear that the Act needs only to be enlarged and extended to 
become a great benefit to the country, as well as a joy to all true 
students of Nature. 
Our Excursions during the past season were not so numerous as 
we had hoped, for reasons I need not recal. Tliose which were 
earned out were much enjoyed, and the plan now proposed for 
their future arrangement will, I trust, make those of the next and 
future summers far more effective. AU excursions in this neigh- 
bourhood labour under the local disadvantage of paucity of 
radway accomodation, whde as with all other Clubs, our changeable 
climate is a continual drawback, though we are spared the peculiar 
liabdity of our Liverpool friends, who, we are told, now and then 
tempt Neptune on their pleasure and scientific trips, and spend 
the day in a woful study of anatomy by the aid of sea-sickness. 
On one or two points more of general interest wdl I venture an 
observation. We meet for the sake of prosecuting Natural History, 
chiefly, of course, from our own delight in its subjects, but, as I 
conceive, also for the sake of extending that delight to others, and 
B 2 
