THE ANNUAL REPORT 
129 
the Central Society in places where there are no Branches or 
where their funds are not devoted to acti\ e work. 
Junior Branches. — Your Council attaches considerable import- 
ance to Junior Branches, and it has succeeded in forming si.\ new 
ones during the year. These are : (i) North Middlesex ; (2) King 
Edward VI. Natural History Society ; (3) “ Laleham ” (Clapham 
Park) ; (4) Rowland Houses Nature-Study Society (South Ken- 
sington) ; (5) Seaford ; (6) Clapham High School Field Club 
(Clapham Common). Most of the Junior Branches are school 
natural history societies, and the members of these are given 
some status and considerable encouragement by becoming 
Associates of the Selborne Society. 
Your Editor, Librarian and Secretary have each given 
addresses to new Junior Branches during the past few months. 
Branches. — In some places circumstances arise which render 
it impossible for a Branch to attain that size and influence which 
makes it of advantage to the Society, or to the members of which 
it is composed. During the year it has been decided to merge 
two branches, namely, those of Halifax and Portsmouth, into 
the Central Society. The following extracts from accounts 
which have been received will give an idea of what some of 
the Branches have been doing. 
Bath. — The I5ath Branch of the SellKirne Society was founded in 1887, with 
a nucleus of 45 members. The membership is now 294, and tliere has been 
less alteration than usual in the composition of the Board during the past year, 
20 members having left, while 31 new members have been elected. 
In February, Mr. Bligh Bond, F.R.I.B.A., gave an extremely interesting 
lecture on “ Rood Screens,” to a crowded audience, and in March, Mr. Mowbray 
Green, A.R.I.B.A., gave another architectural lecture on the “Work of the 
\\'oods in Bath," to a large number of members and their friends. 
The first excursion of the sea.son was held on April 28, when Mr. Milburn 
conducted more than 60 members over the Botanic Gardens. 
On May 13. the Rev. FI. 11. Winwood, M.A., F.G..S., took a party of 55 mem- 
bers to Wick Rocks. On May 28, Mr. M. H. Scott conducted 24 members over 
Lacock Abbey. On June ii, a dozen members went to Cheddar, saw over 
Gough's Cave, and drove up the Gorge and through Burrington Combe to the 
light railway at Langford. The Annual Meeting was held at Warleigh Manor, 
where 80 members enjoyed the hospitality of the President and Lady Mary 
Skrine, on June 23. On July 9, Mr. A. Trice Martin, M.A., F'.S.A., took a 
large number of members around Caerwent, and pointed out the numerous Roman 
remains in that place. On .September 3, Camerton Court was visited by the kind 
invitation of Miss Jarrett. On September 10, Sir Edward .Strachey, Bart., very 
hospitably entertained the members at his seat, Sutton Court, after which the 
so-called Druidical stones at Stanton Drew were inspected. 
During the autumn there was a lecture on Switzerland, by the Rev. H. J. 
Heard, M.A. On October 21 and on November 10, Mr. E. Enock, F.L.S., 
gave his charming lecture on the “ Wonders and Romance of Insect Life.” 
It is satisfactory to note that this Branch of the Sellxirne Society is well 
maintaining the high position it occupies in the city. 
Birmingham. — During the past year an endeavour has been made to further 
the objects of the .Society by means of lectures, the distribution of notices on the 
preservation of birds and plants, and in various other ways. 
In March la.st, Profes.sor Bridge, F. R..S., gave a very interesting lecture in the 
University, on “ How Fishes Talk.'' Upwards of seventy members and friends 
were present ; at the close of the lecture the audience was invited to inspect the 
