27 2 
THE ESSEX NATURALIST. 
This was a very wide subject and there were many sp akers 
in addition to Mr. Whitaker ; the consensus of opinion may be 
briefly summarized. It was suggested that the work done by 
the various Societies should be made widely known in their 
respective districts, that reports of their meetings, etc., should 
be sent to the local press, and that everything relating to the 
district should be recorded. Mr. Whitaker laid great stress 
on the recording of small facts, and deprecated burdening the 
local Societies with the cost of printing other matter than that 
relating to their area. Professor Turner and Professor J. L. 
Myers, joint secretaries of the Association, spoke of the valuable 
work done by the Corresponding Societies,and the latter suggested 
the advisability of keeping in touch with nature study scholars 
after they left their class studies. Several delegates referred to 
the increased cost of meetings and of publishing their transac¬ 
tions. The Chairman suggested curtailing the reports of pro¬ 
ceedings. He mentioned that he had seen a printed report in 
the Journal of a certain Society where 48 pages were taken up 
in recording the proceedings of their annual dinner ! 
Several delegates suggested the more ’ frequent change of 
office-bearers and Committee, and two or three even went so far 
as to suggest that this should apply also to the Local Secretaries. 
Mr. Whitaker, in closing the debate, agreed that it was advisable 
to have a change in the office-bearers and Committee, but as to 
the Secretary, he said, “ You should be very careful in selecting 
your Secretary, and when you have got him, keep him as long 
as you can.” 
He submitted the following motion :—“That this Conference 
recommends the Council to call a meeting of the delegates and 
office-bearers of the respective Corresponding Societies, to be 
held in London at a convenient date, when this subject may 
be further discussed.” The motion was agreed to by a majority. 
ESSEX MUSEUM LIBRARY DESIDERATA. 
Inserted loosely with this Part will be found a list of 
Parts of Transactions of Societies and other publications, 
required to complete the Club’s Library sets. Members 
who may happen to possess any such Parts which they can 
spare, are cordially invited to forward them to either the 
Hon. Librarian or the Hon. Secretary at the Essex Museum, 
Stratford, where they will be gratefully received and 
acknowledged. 
