io6 
NATURE NOTES 
objects sent in to him wliich the finders were unable to classify, 
and in matters of this kind the heads of scientific institutions 
such as the Museum were most obliging. . They had, how- 
ever, met with a reception from one public body which was 
experienced as a great grievance at the time, but might be yet 
susceptible of explanation. This was the interdiction on the 
giving of botanical lectures in Kew Gardens. It was a rule 
under the Parks Regulation Act which might be justifiably 
suspended. While it was desirable public parks should not be 
turned into debating grounds, nevertheless there was a difference 
between such lectures as they proposed giving and the aggressive 
utterances of Hyde Park orators. He was decidedly of opinion 
that in their case the rule should be abrogated. Many people 
wrote to him asking him why he did not increase the size and 
price of the IMagazine ; but it was impossible that anything 
could be done in this matter till the Society’s deficit is wiped 
out. Any increase in size, however small, would mean double 
postage, which was certainly somewhat of a consideration. He 
claimed the forbearance of contributors for holding over lengthy 
articles for very considerable periods. This was unavoidable in 
the case of extended articles owing to limitations of space. Some 
people complained that the [Magazine was too childish, others 
that it was too scientific. He thought a just medium might be 
struck by one class reading the matter of which the other com- 
plained. He was fortunate in his contributors, as he was con- 
stantly being supplied with material of considerable interest. 
He thought ornithologists were more facile with their pens than 
followers of other branches of natural history, which might 
explain the seemingly unjust preponderance of ornithological 
matter in the Magazine’s pages. The Society had a wide scope. 
It was in sympathy with all other Societies of a scientific nature, 
and he was always glad to throw open the pages of the Maga- 
zine to outside contributors. 
Professor F. E. Hulme, F.L.S., in moving a vote of thanks 
to the retiring officers, said it was a resolution which required 
no endorsement from him. They had done excellent service, 
and he was sure all present would join with him in extending 
them a hearty vote of thanks. 
Mr. E. A. [Martin, F.G.S. (Croydon and Norwood Branch), 
seconded the vote, which was cordially carried. 
The next business was the election of officers for the ensuing 
year. 
Mr. Martin, in moving the appointment of the officers 
nominated, begged leave to say a few words on a subject in 
which he was strongly interested — the exertions of the Croydon 
Branch to maintain Croham Hurst as an open space, a move- 
ment which had met with considerable appreciation. Their 
own resources were limited, but they intended to call on other 
Societies to combine to form the nucleus of a fund with which 
they would approach the Croydon public authorities, asking them 
