SEL BORNE SOCIE T V NO T/CES 
57 
bark. I do not quite see that this explains the gashes or sl.ishes on both sides of 
the tree. It seems to me equally possible that a double flash of lightning descend- 
ing the tree might have been conducted away in both directions by the wire cord. 
Another case is that of an oak on my glebe, struck like the elm, last May. In 
this case there is one slash, extending from near the top of the tree to within a 
few inches of the ground. The interesting point here seems to be that small 
splinters in this gash are broken upwards, in a way that seems to .show that this 
was the direction of the current. Such splinters could not be made by a tool 
except by working upwards. The gash extends a good bit higher than those on 
the elm. On September to, 1902, a tall Scotch fir just above my garden was 
struck and niuch split. The carpenter who has the wood tells me it is almost 
useless ; and that when cut up it smelt strongly of brimstone. I do not know 
whether this is commonly found to be the case, or if so, how it is accounted for. 
F. M. Mii.lard. 
SELBORNE SOCIETY NOTICES. 
Council Meetings. — At the Council Meeting held on January 25, the 
Council agreed to the recommendation of the Publications Committee, that an 
inset be placed in the front of Nature Notes, monthly, outlining the coming 
events of the Society. The Secretaryship of the Markwick Branch (Horsham) 
was under consideration. In view of the Annual Meeting the Council appointed 
a Conversazione Committee. 
The usual monthly meeting of the Council will be held at 20, Hanover Square, 
W., on Monday, March 28, at 5.30 p.m. ; and the Publications Committee on 
Tuesday, March 8, 5.30 p.m. 
New Members. — Miss Margaret Kew, Bromley; Ernest Mannering, Esq., 
Oxford ; P. G. Lane, Esq., Wimbledon ; Mrs. Thompson, Hampstead ; IVIrs. E. 
Watson, Brighton; B. J. Hull, Esq., Haverstock Hill; Max H. Chandler, 
Esq., Hampstead; Montague P'. Hopson, Esq., Hampstead ; Edward D. Brown, 
Esq., Hampstead; Miss Barter, Gospel Oak; Miss Jones, Hampstead; Miss 
Thompson, Hampstead ; Miss Smith, Hampstead ; Miss Peabody, Sudbury ; Miss 
Jay, Upper Holloway; Walter Short, Esq., Kensington; Herbert J. Rodgers, 
Esq., Pinner ; Norman P. Cummings, Esq., West Dulwich ; Jas. Shaw Crompton, 
Esq., R.I., Ilaverstock Hill; Mrs. Duncan, PMgbaston ; J. Cartwright Firth, 
Esq., Birmingham; A. S. Grew, Esq., Slechfcrd ; J. Humphreys, Esq., 
Edgbaston ; Mrs. Richards, Edgbaston. 
Subscriptions. — The Council beg to acknowledge the following subscrip- 
tions over 5s. : Mrs. R. F. Sturge, los. ; T. G. Timbrell, Esq., los. ; Miss E. 
B. Brand, los. ; Miss J. Brand, los. ; Jph. Rawlins, Esq., los. ; Miss Garrett, 
2is. ; Geo. Turvill, Esq., los. ; Mrs. Minet, los. ; R. Harpur Crewe, Esq., 
I2S. fid. ; G. B. Milne-Redhead, Esq. , los. ; Mrs. W. Greenwood, 21s. ; Ernest 
D. Vaisey, Esq., los. ; Rev. A. L. Hussey, 21s. ; Jas. Troubridge Critchell, 
Esq., los. ; Mrs. M. L. Cooke- Yarborough, sen., los. ; Peter Hastie, Esq., los 
Donation. — Mrs. Hyde-Clarke, los. fid. 
NEWS FROM THE BRANCHES. 
Birmingham and Midland. — The Annual Meeting was held on Friday, 
February 12, in the Council House. The Right Hon. Wm. Kenrick presided, 
and there was a good attendance. The Report and Statement of Accounts were 
approved and ordered to be printed. The Branch has made considerable pro- 
gress, the number of Members has increased, and there is a balance of about ;^I5, 
which will enable the Branch to further the objects of the Society by means of 
Lectures, &c. 
On January 22, Mrs. and Miss Benson Rathbone kindly invited the Members 
to an “At Home” at their house in Edgbaston. Microscopes and Natural 
History exhibits were lent by several Members, and all present spent a most 
enjoyable evening. 
Hampstead. — On January 25 a lecture entitled “ The Milky Way and New 
Stars,” was delivered by Mr. A. C. D. Crommelin, B.A., F.R.A.S., of Green- 
wich Observatory. The desire to hear so great an authority on a subject of such 
