102 
NATURE NOTES 
hoped that the efforts made to preserve this interesting structure will prove 
successful. 
Other branches have an excellent example of the way in which opportunities 
that have fallen to the lot of the Croydon Branch have been utilised. The 
Council feel sure that there are many matters, which, though perhaps of smaller 
moment, are yet entirely Selbornian, in which the country branches may interest 
themselves with beneficial effect — such as the threatened closing of public footpaths, 
so-called restoration of churches and other ancient buildings, destruction of local 
animals and plants, and the many and various ways of spoiling local scenery. 
It is with regret that the Council have to record the closing of the Barmouth 
Branch, which under the Hon. Secretaryship of Dr. Hughes did much useful 
work, but collapsed after his retirement from that office. 
An addition has been made to the list of Junior Branches at Haileybury 
College. 
Owing to pressure of other work on behalf of the Society, Mrs. Percy Myles 
has resigned the office of Librarian and Mr. A. E. Malaher has been elected to 
succeed her. 
The Council also announce with regret the resignation by Mr. A. J. Western 
of the post of Secretary, which he has held for twelve years, and they have had 
pleasure in appointing Mr. R. Marshman Wattson as his successor. 
FIELD CLUB. — The Council have received a favourable Report of the 
proceedings of the Field Club during last year from the able Organising Secre- 
tary, Mrs. Percy Myles, who was assisted in her duties by Mr. A. B. Wilkinson, 
and a full Report of these Meetings has already been published in the Magazine. 
In all twenty-one rambles were taken to places of interest and attraction under 
the experienced direction of members of the Society, and the attendance at them 
was regarded as satisfactory. 
SELBORNE SATURD.W AFTERNOONS. — Eight Selborne Winter 
Saturday Afternoons have been held during the Season just ended as against 
five for the previous winter. Four visits were made to the Natural History 
Museum, when members were under the guidance, respectively, of Professor 
Boulger, F.L.S., F.G.S., Mr. V. H. Blackman, Dr. A. Smith Woodward, 
and Mr. L. Fletcher, F.R.S., who, in their different departments, afforded 
to the visitors great intellectual pleasure. The other four visits were : — 
(1) To Lambeth Palace, whence the members repaired to the church adjoin- 
ing, where Professor Boulger delivered an instructive address on the tomb of the 
Tradescant family. 
(2) To St. Paul’s Cathedral, when Minor Canon Gilbertson was kind enough 
to act as guide. 
(3) To St. Bartholomew’s the Great, .Smithfield, where the Rector, the Rev. 
Sir Borradaile Savory, Bart., placed his services and his knowledge of the ancient 
edifice at the Selbornians’ disposal. 
(4) To the Temple Church, and Middle and Inner Temple Halls, on which 
occasion Mr. F. Downing ably discharged the duties of guide. 
The eight meetings were attended by 226 members and friends, giving an 
average of twenty-eight per meeting, so that the numbers shown entirely justified 
the institution of these Winter Saturday Afternoons. 
The Selborne Society has been put to no expense in connection with these 
meetings, and the thanks of all participating in them are due to Mrs. Percy 
Myles for having made the necessary arrangements. 
Mr. Otter then made the financial statement (here annexed). 
Commenting on the balance-sheet Mr. Otter observed that 
it showed — and there were indications of it elsewhere — that 
there was some decline in the branches of the Society, which he 
regarded as rather a serious matter. While subscriptions from 
people who did not belong to the branches had increased, the 
receipts from the branches had decreased. The policy of having 
branches, therefore, would seem not to have been wholly sue- 
