MIDLAND UNION OF NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETIES. 177 
On both these subjects there was a full expression of opinion 
from the representatives of all the societies present. 
With regard to the question as to the usefulness of the Midland 
Union, the feeling of the great majority of the representatives was 
favourable. Definite expression of this opinion was given by 
Mr. H. M. J. Underhill on behalf of the Oxfordshire Natural 
History Society, who reported that a council meeting of their 
society had resolved that the Midland Union was worthy of support 
on account of the benefit which resulted from the annual meetings, 
apart from the publication of any journal by the Union. The 
representatives of the Ellesmere Natural History Society and Field 
Club also spoke strongly in the same tone. Many others stated 
their opinion that the intercommunication that was possible at 
these annual meetings between the scattered scientific workers of 
the Midlands was of considerable advantage to science, as well as 
pleasurable for those able to attend these meetings. There seemed 
to be a general feeling among the representatives that the con¬ 
tinuance of the Union was desirable and practicable, and a resolution 
was passed recommending to the annual meeting its continuance. 
With regard to the publication of a journal by the society, the 
secretaries gave it as their experience that, without the expenditure 
of far more time than most professional or business men had at 
their disposal, it was not possible to keep sufficiently in touch with 
the workers in the various societies of the Union to obtain com¬ 
munications of scientific notes or papers sufficient to make the 
journal a success. There was a very general expression of opinion 
against the continuance of the “ Midland Naturalist ” as the 
journal of the Union, and the Council unanimously decided that, 
owing to the difficulty of getting adequate support for the “ Midland 
Naturalist,” both as regards scientific papers and also annual 
subscribers, it should be recommended to the Annual Meeting that 
the attempt on the part of the Union to keep up the journal be no 
longer made, and that after the present year the “ Midland 
Naturalist ” should cease to be the organ of the Midland Union of 
Natural History Societies. In this determination the Council felt 
that they were acting in accordance with the desire of the editors 
August, 1893. 
