OFFICIAL NOTICES , &c. 
139 
matter of preparing leaflets, and offered on behalf of Mrs. Musgrave and himself 
to advance the money necessary for printing, to be repaid on the sale of the leaf- 
lets. On the motion of Professor Hulme, a hearty vote of thanks was passed to 
Mr. and Mrs. Musgrave for their generous offer. 
At the usual monthly meeting, held on July 1st (Mr. G. A. Musgrave in the 
chair), the Rev. Percy Myles having directed attention to the suggestions for or- 
ganised observation made by Mr. Holte Macpherson in the April number of 
Nature Notes, the following resolution was carried : — 
“That the Council, highly approving of Mr. Macpherson’s suggestion, request 
the secretary at the earliest opportunity to ask the honorary secretaries of branches 
whether it would be possible for them to take any steps to carry out such organised 
•observations.” 
Mr. Myles also called the attention of the Council to the fact that the Magazine 
Committee has been for more than a year virtually non-existent, and suggested that 
it should be revived in some practical form. For this purpose the following 
resolution, proposed by Mr. Myles and seconded by Mr. Macpherson, was 
•carried : — 
“That the Magazine Committee shall be co-extensive with the whole 
council ; That the business of the Magazine Committee shall be transacted at 
the ordinary meetings of the Council, having as early a place as possible on the 
agenda ; That sub-committees for special purposes be appointed, consisting of 
members who take a special interest in the various departments of the Society’s 
work.” 
The thanks of the Council were voted to Mrs. Phillips and her offer to print 
for distribution by the Society 1,000 copies of a leaflet on the destruction of orna- 
mental plumaged birds was cordially accepted. 
Bath Branch. — In accordance with his usual custom, the President of the 
local branch of the Selborne Society issued again this year an invitation to the 
members to pay a visit to Claverton Manor upon the occasion of the annual 
meeting. The event duly took place on Tuesday afternoon, when the picture 
gallery was utilised for the business portion of the proceedings. The balance- 
sheet presented by the hon. sec. showed that the total receipts for the past year 
amounted to ^42 6s. 93d. The expenditure had been ^27 14s., which left in 
hand a balance of ,£14 12s. 9^d. The annual report dwelt briefly upon the various 
undertakings of the Society during the year, mentioning, among other matters, 
that with the intention of furthering the aims of the Society, which were the 
prevention of the destruction of wild birds, animals and plants, a library had been 
established at the Royal Literary and Scientific Institution for the purpose of 
assisting members in the study of natural history and natural science. This had 
swallowed up a considerable portion of their income, and they hoped that members 
would now assist not only in increasing the stock of books but also the number of 
readers. The report and statement of accounts were adopted, Mr. H. D. Skrine 
re-elected president, and Mr. Wheatcroft again appointed hon. secretary and 
treasurer, with thanks to him for his past services. Mr. Norman and Mr. 
Braikenridge were again appointed to represent the Bath branch on the Central 
■Council, and Mr. Appleby was re-elected hon. librarian. 
The secretary spoke on a communication from the British Association with 
reference to the destruction of certain plants. Both birds and plants had suffered 
greatly from destruction in recent years, and the British Association were deter- 
mined to get exact information relative to such matters. This had already been 
done in Scotland and the north of England, and now there was a desire to get 
similar facts from the west of England and South Wales. These facts could be 
only obtained, however, by the assistance of those who had known for some time 
the flora of any locality. Speaking personally, and from an experience extending 
over eleven or twelve years, he could say that he had noticed a considerable 
diminution in their district. There was a gentleman present, and himself, who 
were both well acquainted with a wood, in which at one time orchids were found 
in plenty. Now they could scarcely see one. He was sorry to say that he had 
noticed a good many of the roots in the Bath market, while everyone at all familiar 
with the city must know of the frightful destruction of ferns that was going on. 
Primroses, too, were not increasing. People could pick as many flowers as they 
liked if they would only leave the roots untouched. He thought the best way in 
which the request of the British Association could be met was by the formation of 
a small committee to deal with the matter. Lieut. -Col. Blathwayt, Rev. W. H. 
