122 
NATURE NOTES 
The Council is indebted to several of the members for additions to 
the collection of lantern slides which is being formed, and for several 
valuable additions to the library. Amongst the books received are 
some from the collection of the late Prebendary Gordon, presented to 
the library by Mrs. Gordon through Miss Martelli. 
A number of very successful lectures have been given on behalf of 
the Society during the year. The Council is greatly indebted to those 
gentlemen who have so willingly given their services, and as the number 
of lecturers at present available is insufficient to meet all the applications 
received, the names of any members willing to speak and lecture, espe- 
cially out of London, will be gratefully received. The following is a list 
of some of the gentlemen who have kindly assisted the Society in this 
direction ; Mr. F. W. Ashley, F.Z.S., the Rev. H. E. U. Bull, M.A., Mr. 
J. S. Cooke, F.L.S., F.G.S., Lieut. -Colonel Coulson, Mr. Alfred T. 
Dymes, Mr. Edward A. Martin, F.G.S., Mr. J. L. Otter, Mr. Gerald 
Renshaw, Mr. James Saunders, Mr. R. Marshman Wattson and Mr. A. 
A. P. Wire, M.C.I.S. 
A scheme has been inaugurated which will, it is thought, be of con- 
siderable use in bringing together members of this Society. Many of 
our members, with the exception perhaps of those who join the Field 
Club rambles, never have an opportunity of meeting members of other 
branches. It has now been arranged that a member who intends to 
spend a holiday in a locality in which a branch is situated, can on appli- 
cation to the Secretary of the Society, obtain a letter of introduction 
to the Branch Secretary. This would have the double effect of stirring 
up the branches and of giving the visitor an interest in his holiday which 
could not otherwise be obtained. The Branch Secretary would no doubt 
be pleased to make the acquaintance of members of other branches, and 
he would be in a position to point out to the visitor the objects of beauty 
and interest in his neighbourhood, and the mutual exchange of views 
consequent on such an introduction would be beneficial to both parties. 
In the case of those districts where there is at present no branch of 
the Society, it is proposed that a list be compiled of members residing 
therein who shall be willing to act as the branch representative, their 
work being to point out to members visiting their districts, the local 
objects of interest and to furnish such other information as may be in 
their power, in order to render the visit both useful and enjoyable. 
The members will be glad to learn that the appeal in the magazine 
contributed materially to the success of the movement for the acquisition 
of Churchyard Bottom Wood, Highgate. 
A proposal has been put forward by Mr. R. Marshman Wattson, to 
increase the amount of the branch contribution to the general funds of 
the Society. The present rule is that io per cent, of the receipts from 
subscriptions shall be paid over towards the general expenses. The 
proposal is to increase the contribution to is. for subscriptions of 5s. 
and upwards. It has been decided, however, that the consideration of 
this question shall be postponed and a special General Meeting will 
be hereafter called for this purpose, after the Branch Secretaries have 
had an opportunity of giving their opinion. 
In conclusion the Council desires to thank those members who gave 
donations towards the reduction of the deficit on the account presented 
at last year’s annual meeting. It is, however, pointed out that the 
response to that appeal for special donations has not quite met the 
needs of the case. Not only is it necessary to clear the Society of 
debt, but funds are also urgently required to carry on its work efficiently. 
For further details of the work of the branches and of the general 
work of the Society, the members are referred to the pages of the 
magazine. 
