SELBORNE SOCIETY NOTICES 
219 
the 1st January in each year, but persons joining after that date are supplied with 
the back numbers of the magazine. A cheque or postal order for the amount of 
the subscription or donation, crossed “ London Joint Stock Bank, Pall Mall,” 
should be addressed to the Secretary, Mr. R. Marshman Wattson, 20, 
Hanover Square, London, W. 
Council Meetings. — The next meetings of Council will be held on 
Tuesdays, November 5 and 19, and December 3, at 5 - 3 ° p-m., at 20, Hanover 
Square, W. 
New Members. — Miss .Strohmenger, Highbury, N. ; Miss O’Rourke, 
Stroud Green; Edward Smith, Esq., Lewisham; Wm. Garfitt, Esq., M.P., 
Chesham Place, S.W. ; O. G. Pike, Esq., Winchmore Hill ; Thos. Gore 
Timbrell, Esq., Alton, Hants. ; The Rev. Preb. H. E. J. Bevan, M.A., and the 
Hon. Mrs. H. E. J. Bevan, Chelsea; Captain Loyd, Worthing; Miss M. E. 
Jones, Hampstead ; and Miss Banks, Keswick. 
Donations and Subscriptions. — The Council begs to acknowledge 
with thanks the receipt of the following subscription over 5s : Thos. Gore 
Timbrell, Esq., los. 
NEWS FROM THE BRANCHES. 
Bath. — The Bath Branch has sustained a heavy loss in the death of its 
founder and President, Mr. Henry Duncan Skrine, J.P., D.L., who passed away 
on September 26, at the advanced age of 86. It was fifteen years ago that he 
was instrumental in founding the Bath Branch and till the very end he took 
the deepest interest in everything affecting its welfare. Every year he gave a 
reception to the members in the beautiful grounds of Claverton Manor, over- 
looking the lovely valley of the Avon. Here was a sanctuary for the wild 
birds and rare flowers which he carefully preserved. But he was the means of 
preserving rare birds outside of his own valley, for two years ago, when some 
herons were shot in the Bath Reservoir for feeding on the trout, he wrote to the 
Mayor and secured the passing of a resolution in the Bath Town Council that 
henceforth no rare birds should be shot without the permission of the Chairman 
of the Committee. But not alone does the Selborne Society mourn his loss, but 
every Society in the neighbourhood whose object is the furtherance of science, 
education, agriculture and the welfare of the Church. Now he lies in the 
beautiful God’s acre of Claverton leaving behind him a memory sans petir et 
sans reproche, and an incentive to coming generations to persevere in the aims 
which he ever held dear. 
Croydon and Norwood. — The winter season was opened on Friday last 
by a lecture on “ Porriwiggles and other Freshwater Creatures,” by Mr. Edward 
A. Martin, F.G.S., the local Honorary Secretary. The subjects included in the 
lecture were various animals which are met with in almost every pond and 
stream in the neighbourhood. A porriwiggle was explained to be what the youths 
of the pickle-bottle-brigade term “toe-biters,” otherwise tadpoles. The meta- 
morphoses of the frogs, toads, and newts were dealt with, and an account given 
of original observations made during the past summer on these creatures. 
Sheets of diagrams were distributed, on which were sketched other water-animals, 
such as the early forms of the common gnat, the great water-beetle, fresh-water 
molluscs, such as the water-snails, Limnaa and Planorbis, &c. Specimens of the 
creatures dealt with were exhibited to the audience. Amongst the announcements 
at the meeting it was stated that it was intended by the Railway Company to cut 
down the fine elm trees which now skirt the road at Thornton Heath Station. 
It was hoped that those interested would obtain a reversal of the decision. 
A vote of thanks to the lecturer was proposed by Mr. F. Downing, and seconded 
by Mr. J. A. James, and carried with acclamation. 
Hampstead (Northern Heights).— Miss Agnes Martelli, the Honorary 
.Secretary of this Branch, has issued a notice to the members informing them that 
she regrets that she feels no longer able to act as the Secretary, though still 
taking a great interest in its work. 
Mr. James E. Whiting, of 41, Heath Street, Hampstead, has been appointed 
