ROYAL AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY OF ENGLAND. 49 
of a previous dietary regimen, consisting entirely of milk and 
farinaceous and vegetable substances. The death of the 
bitch (which was not hunted) is a mere exceptional coinci¬ 
dence, and does not invalidate the opinion I have formed of 
the causes of the deadly outbreak, and may be regarded as a 
case of colic, terminating fatally at the season it prevails, the 
tone of her system being reduced by nursing, and thus pre¬ 
disposing her to such an attack. The conclusion to be drawn 
from these observations, if they are well founded, consists in 
their practical application, viz., that the greatest care and 
attention is necessary in the feeding of hounds at the com¬ 
mencement of the hunting season, both with reference to the 
quantity and quality of the food allowed to them after a long- 
continued or severe day^s hunting. 
I am. Sir, &c., 
William Dick. 
ROYAL AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY OF ENGLAND. 
The half-yearly meeting of the members of this Society 
was held on Thursday morning, December llth, in Hanover 
Square. The attendance was smaller than has been usual of 
late. The chair was taken by the president. Viscount 
Eversley. 
The secretary, Mr. Hall Dare, read the following report: 
Report of the Council. 
During the last seven months 23 governors and members 
have died, while 5 governors and 372 members have been 
elected; so that the list now comprises— 
80 Life Governors, 
94 Annual Governors, 
1239 Life Members, 
3747 Annual Members, 
17 Honorary Members; 
making a total of 5177j being an increase of 354 since the 
last report. 
The finances are in a satisfactory condition, as is shown 
by the balance-sheet to 30th of June last; since which time 
the finance committee have recommended the sale of <£1000 
stock, and have dischaged all the claims against the Society 
submitted to them up to the last meeting. The funded 
XXXVI. 4 
