SELBORNE SOCIETY NOTICES 
99 
Dew Ponds. —In turning out a heap of old pamphlets a few days ago we 
found one on “ Dew Ponds,” which treats them scientifically. It was written 
and published in 1877 by H. P. Slade, and is entitled “ A Short Practical 
Treatise on Dew Ponds, the Farmer’s Summer Water Suppliers.” The publishers 
are E. and F. N. Spon, 48, Charing Cross. Price 2s. He describes the construc- 
tion of the ponds, and gives advice as to the improvement of them, and after 
citing several examples, says, “ it is plainly demonstrated that rain is the main, 
if not the sole, source of the pond’s supply.” He gives careful observations and 
statistics as to rainfall, evaporation and consumption by cattle, and it seems a 
pity that his advice should not be more generally known and followed by owners 
of sheep on large tracts of downs, like those of Berkshire. 
M. S. Young. 
SELBORNE SOCIETY NOTICES. 
Council Meeting 1 . — The usual monthly meeting of the Council will be 
held at 20, Hanover Square, W., on Wednesday, May 13, at 5.30 p.m. 
New Members. — Andrew Pears, Esq., Isleworth ; Miss Katherine S. Smith, 
West Dulwich; C. W. Dann, Esq., Exeter; Dr. J. Quirke, Stoke Newington; 
Andrew J. Lloyd, Esq., Boston, U.S.A. ; D. W. B. Cockeram, Esq., Stoke 
Newington; F. J. Townend, Esq., Croydon; Miss Fothergill, Croydon; Miss 
Tollworthy, Stoke Newington; George A. B. Dewar, Esq., Basingstoke; Rev. 
Arthur Kaye, M. A., Selborne ; W. A. Sykes, Esq., Shepherd’s Bush. 
Donations and Subscriptions. — The Council beg to acknowledge the 
following Donation: G. Rowland Blades, Esq., F.R.G.S., £2 2s. ; Subscriptions 
over 5s. : Andrew Pears, Esq., 21s. ; Phillip Marsh, Esq., 10s. ; C. W. Dann, 
Esq., 7s.; J. II. Masters, Esq., 10s. ; Fredk. Crowley, Esq., 21s.; Lady 
Knightley, of Fawsley, 10s. 
SELBORNE SATURDAY AFTERNOONS. 
Upwards of fifty members of the Selborne Society and their friends struggled 
through the wet to 24, Park Lane, on Saturday, March 28, to see Lord Brassey’s 
Museum. This contains the collections made by the late Lady Brassey. On 
entering the building, in the upper story of which the series of specimens are 
housed, each member of the party was presented with a printed catalogue. The 
whole of the hall is lined with exquisite Indian carving which once was to be seen 
at the Colonial Exhibition. It is said that no two of the many panels are alike. 
No attempt has been made to classify the objects in any detail. The personal 
relics of the late owner and souvenirs of the “Sunbeam ” occupy one wall case. 
Of the many others it is impossible to do more than indicate the most remarkable 
features. Perhaps the beautiful Hawaiian cloak of birds’ feathers, the producers 
of which are now extinct, is the greatest rarity. Lovers of shells were pleased 
with the examples of the pearly coverings of molluscs displayed, both as specimens 
and as shades for the electric lights which illuminate the cases. Shell money and 
ornaments were there in profusion, and natural history and ethnological curiosities 
in great number. Mr. Potter, private secretary to Lord Brassey, explained 
briefly the chief features of the Museum, and a hearty vote of thanks, to be con- 
veyed to the owner, was passed on the proposal of Mr. Wilfred Mark Wells, 
seconded by Mrs. Muhlberg, before the party separated after a most pleasant 
afternoon. 
FIELD CLUB RAMBLES. 
The Field Club commenced its 1903 season on April 18 by a visit to Kew 
Gardens. The weather was fine and a good company, numbering about 36 
members, assembled. In the unavoidable absence of Prof. F. E. Hulme, the 
party was conducted through the gardens by Prof. Boulger, who gave a most 
interesting series of demonstrations at only a few hours’ notice. The Rock 
garden was minutely inspected by the company and the habits of some of its 
occupants explained by the professor, who then led the party through the Palm 
