AXXUAL REPORT 
1 29 
an account of how the birds and squirrels are tempted to the drawing room 
window. 
In January an interesting lecture entitled “Studies in Spider Life” was 
given at Shere Village Hall, by Mr. II. Hill, who showed a wide knowledge of 
his subject. The habits of trap-door spiders were amusingly told, and the 
children were given minute instructions for the keeping of garden spiders in 
jam bottles, and shown by lantern slides what charming webs they make in 
captivity. 
In March Mr. Hill again lectured to a large audience. This time his subject 
was “Flies.” The lantern slides were of great interest, and many mistaken 
ideas as to the habits of flies were corrected by Mr. Hill’s instructive address. 
Ba/A Branch . — The Bath Branch of the Selborne Society held its annual 
meeting on Thursday, June 20, at In woods, near Bradford-on- Avon, by the kind 
invitation of Mr. and Mrs. Harcourt Skrine. Mr. M. H. Scott presided, and 
read the annual report, which was as follows : — 
Since the last report thirty-nine members have died or left the Society, and 
seven new ones have joined. The excursions held since the last annual meeting 
had been well attended, and enjoyed by the members. The first was to Stone- 
henge on July 14, when Mr. M. II. Scott explained the stones. The first this 
year was a visit to St. Catherine’s on May 18, when fifty-three members attended. 
By the kindness of the Hon. Mrs. Paley, the Court and grounds were inspected. 
This was follow’ed by a visit to Dyrham Park on May 26, by the kind invitation 
of the Rev. Wynter and Mrs. Blathwayt, who hospitably entertained sixty-nine 
guests. On June 6 twenty-three members went to Box Quarries, and were con- 
ducted through them by Mr. T. Sturge Cotterell, who explained the method of 
working. 
The first lecture in the winter session was given by Mr. Balch on November 9, 
who took for his subject “The Antiquities of the Caves of Mendip,” which was 
well illustrated by lantern slides. The chair was taken by Mr. Trice Martin. 
Miss Pedder lectured in the afternoon of November 29 on “Mosquitoes” and 
“Malaria.” Mr. Norman was chairman on that occasion. Mr. Scott, in the 
absence of the President, took the chair at the annual soiree, which was held on 
January 2,). A feature of this function was the presentation of an oak bookcase 
and library chair to Mr. Ellwood, the late Secretary, on the occasion of his 
marriage. The presentation was much appreciated by him. Mr. Allon Tucker 
exhibited and explained some lantern slides of Ancient and Modern Bath, and 
Miss Meta Rogers and Miss Beatrice Jones contributed music and recitations. 
The next lecture was by Mr. Trice Martin on February 14, on “ Caerwent,” 
presided over by the Rev. H. L. Maynard, and the last was an afternoon lecture 
about “Spiders” on March 7 by Miss Heaven, the chair being occupied by the 
Hon. Treasurer. 
The Committee are pleased to record the fact that Mrs. Hann, of Bloomfield 
Avenue, has presented the Society with a valuable collection of botanical speci- 
mens, which are in the Selborne Society’s room at the Institution, and are worthy 
of inspection by anyone interested in this department of the Society’s work. 
Three new district secretaries have been appointed, viz.. Miss Verrier for Lower 
Kingsmead, Miss Reynolds for Partis College, and Miss Hooper for Bathampton 
and Batheaston. 
Birmingham and Midland Branch . — The work of the Branch has been carried 
on successfully during the past year. Several lectures have been delivered, one 
by Mr. Fred Knock, F.L.S., on “ The Wonders and Romance of Insect Life.” 
to a large audience in the Town Hall, in March. Mr. T. 11 . Russell, F.L.S., 
lectured in November on “ A Short Chapter of Plant Life ; the Liverworts,” 
besides giving many other lectures to schools and institutions in various parts of 
the city. An excursion was made to Droitwich in July, under the guidance of 
Mr. John Humphreys, w'ho pointed out many interesting plants growing in the 
locality. 
In connection with the Children’s Country Holiday Society, upwards of 700 
leaflets “Spare the Birds and the Flowers,” were distributed. Through the 
kind co-operation of the district superintendents of the railway companies 150 of 
the notices, “ For the Preservation of Wild Birds ” and “ For the Preservation of 
Wild Plants ” have been placed in the waiting halls at various stations throughout 
the district. 
