SELBORNE SOCIETY NOTICES 
157 
where they were joined by a number of children belonging to the Band of Mercy, 
which is affiliated to the Branch. They then proceeded up Hackhurst Lane, and 
across Terry’s Rough and Evershed’s Rough, turning up to the Downs near the 
Bishop’s Cross. After a pleasant walk on the Downs the party arrived at West 
Hackhurst about five o’clock, where a tea was provided by the Local Branch for 
all the members of the Band of Mercy, whilst Miss Forster, a former local 
secretary, had the pleasure of receiving the members of the Society as her guests. 
Several of these, being unable to take the walk, came for the sake of Professor 
Boulger’s address, which was given after tea. The address was illustrated by the 
flowers Professor Boulger had gathered on the walk, and he pointed out the 
different kinds of buttercups and how to recognise them ; and he also drew the 
attention of the audience to the methods of growth which enabled various plants 
to get rid of the superfluous rain, which would injure the leaves and stalks if it re- 
mained on them. The whole lecture was as interesting to the children as to their 
elders, and Professor Boulger was loudly clapped at the close of the address. The 
party broke up about 6.30, after an enjoyable afternoon, in spite of one or two 
slight showers. 
The chief work of this Branch is to increase the interest in, and know- 
ledge of, Natural History amongst village children, and to enlist their 
sympathies in the protection of birds and flowers. Professor Boulger has more 
than once called attention to the mischief done by digging up and by gathering 
even what seem common flowers in large quantities ; and he has specially 
warned his audience to protect the orchids, which are the pride of the Downs, as 
where they propagate themselves by seed reckless gathering will cause them to 
disappear. 
Bath. — The annual meeting of this Branch was held, at the invitation of 
Colonel II. M. Skrine and Lady Skrine, at Warley Manor, when there was a 
large attendance of members. Colonel Skrine took the chair, and in his 
opening remarks, after giving all present a very hearty welcome, said that they 
had paid him a very great honour in asking him to become their president. He 
did not feel at all worthy to hold such a responsible office, but he had 
always known what great interest and love his late father had always taken in the 
work. It had been one of the favourite hobbies of his later life, and, therefore, 
he (the speaker), out of respect to his father’s memory, had very gladly decided 
to accept the office. For weeks before that annual meeting his father had always 
collected facts of natural history which would, he thought, be interesting to them. 
He himself had not been able to do that this year, but he hoped to be able to 
collect some facts of interest on the next occasion. The speaker concluded by 
giving a very interesting account of the habits of wood -pigeons, as observed on 
the estate, and also of the rearing of a young cuckoo which had been found in a 
nest on one of the terraces in front of the manor. 
In presenting the accounts — in the absence of Dr. Norman, the hon. treasurer 
— Mr. VV. C. Elwood (hon. secretary) stated that the year was started with a 
balance in hand of ^45 3s. iod. The sum of ^38 us. 1 id. had been received in 
subscriptions, which was about C 5 less than in the previous year, and after 
deducting all expenses, there remained a balance in hand of ^49 19s. 1 1 d. , which 
was an increase of about ^5. The annual report mentioned that during the year 
fifty-four members had left the Society, w'hile forty-three new members had been 
enrolled. Thanks were due to the ladies who had contributed so much to the 
success of the Society, and to those who had given lectures and had conducted the 
various excursions. The report of the Natural History Section was presented by 
Miss Bryant. 
General Coningham proposed the re-election of Colonel Skrine as president of 
the Society, remarking that no better selection could be made. The motion was 
carried with applause, and the Chairman having suitably responded, the Vice- 
President, Preb. P. Norton Thompson, Preb. Tugwell, the Rev. T. P. Methuen, 
and Mr. W. J. Braikenridge, were also re-elected, as were the committee, the 
Rev. W. S. II. Samler, Major Edgell, Messrs. Leveson Scarth, M. PI. Scott, 
E. J. Appleby, VV. C. Elwood, Miss Bryant, and Miss C. Pedder. Dr. Norman 
was re-elected hon. treasurer, Mr. VV. C. Elwood hon. secretary, Mr. E. J. 
Appleby hon. librarian, and Miss C. Pedder secretary of the Natural History 
Section. The district secretaries having been elected, Mr. Wilkinson remarked 
