i8o 
NATURE NOTES. 
right shoulders. He never undertook anything more than (at first in conjunction 
with Mr. James Britten) the literary control of the magazine — in fact, the 
duties involved in the word “ Editor.” To quote the words of the 1890 report : 
—“A standing Committee for the management of all matters other than literary 
was appointed ” (Nature Notes, vol. i. p. 65). This Committee has been 
gradually enlarged until it includes all the members of the elected Council. But 
as a matter of fact the Editor has always been obliged to perform the duties of 
Manager as well as Editor of the magazine ; and has had no assistance whatever 
from any member of the Council except Mr. Edward King, who has expended 
much time and trouble in the advertisement department of the management. 
Mr. King is now obliged to withdraw that assistance, and the Council are merely 
asked to take upon themselves the duties for which they are answerable. The 
Editor, as is known to most members of the Society, was prostrated by a very 
severe illness last autumn, and has been more or less an invalid ever since. In 
spite of this, he has been able, mainly by the assistance of private friends, to 
continue the editorial, as well as managerial work, but he is at present very 
ill indeed, and although he hopes, should his health be restored, to continue 
to give his literary assistance to the Society, he must absolutely decline any longer 
to take upon himself the duties connected with the management of the magazine. 
He has no fear, however, that when the facts are distinctly known there will be 
any need of volunteers for the work. 
The following members of the Council have individually promised him to 
undertake or continue work in various literary or business departments : — Mr. A. 
H. Macpherson, Mr. A. Clarke, Prof. Hulme, Mr. W. F. Kirby, Mr. H. B. 
Hyde and Mr. W. D. Wickes. Mrs. Percy Myles, Miss Agnes Martelli, and Mr. 
R. M. Wattson, delegates of Branches, hope as heretofore to take an active part. 
Mr. Otter, besides much other help, will continue to act as Treasurer of the Magazine 
Committee as well as of the Society, and it is hoped that Mr. G. A. Musgrave will be 
responsible for similar work in another direction. From the other members of the 
Council, some of whom are the most directly responsible for the starting of the 
magazine, nothing has been heard. If it is impossible for them to spare time to 
attend to their duties, there is no doubt from the promises that have been received 
that other members of the Society will be found ready to take their places. Nothing 
is now left to be done except the organisation by the Council of their executive 
functions. There is hardly any doubt that when that is accomplished there will 
be a distinct advance in the regularity and efficiency of the management of the 
magazine, the activity of the work, and the extension of the influence of the Sel- 
borne Society. 
NOTICE TO CORRESPONDENTS. 
To prevent mistake or disappointment, we request attention to the following 
rules : — 
As Nature Notes is published on the 15th of each month, and the amount 
of MS. material received is always far greater than the available space, 
contributions should be forwarded before the 1st of the month in which it 
is desired that they should appear. 
Correspondence intended for insertion in the magazine should be carefully dis- 
tinguished from private correspondence, should be as brief as possible, 
legible, and written on one side of the paper only. 
When it is particularly requested, MSS. not accepted will be returned, if 
stamps sufficient to pay the postage are sent for that purpose. 
Queries on any points connected with botany or zoology will be answered if 
possible, and advice will be given as to the best books for students in 
any department of natural science ; but all questions must be accom- 
panied by the names and addresses of the writers, not for publication, 
unless it is so desired. 
Specimens sent for identification will be named, if sent carefully packed and 
in good condition, but we cannot undertake to return any specimens. 
It is particularly requested that subscriptions and letters connected with busi- 
ness should not be forwarded to the Editor, but to the Secretary of the Selborne 
Society, 9, Adam Street, Adelphi. Editorial communications should be addressed 
to the Rev. Percy Myles, i, Argyle Road, Ealing, W. 
