13 
increase in the attendance, but there does not seem to be much sign of, 
or cause for, jubilation in the figures aforesaid. Our membership roll 
also shows a slight decrease, for while four new names have been added 
to the list we have lost seven members. Two of the latter—Mr. Charles 
Oldham, a member of long standing, and Mr. Thornthwaite—having, 
be it regretfully recorded, joined “ the great majority.” 
From the financial point of view, as the treasurer’s report shows, 
our list is, however, a satisfactory one, since it is at present free from 
dead-heads, which “ in the good old days” bulked somewhat largely 
therein ; it cannot yet he said of all, perhaps, that they pay as promptly 
as the treasurer might desire, but even the most procrastinating 
ultimately—to use a field phrase —“ come up to the scratch.” 
We have this year made some revisions in the rules for the most 
part on minor points, but one, of some importance, re-establishing the 
obligation book, which has been allowed to fall into disuse. If the 
Society continues to pursue the even tenour of its way with so much 
placidity it may be necessary to make a further revision absolving the 
secretaries from their present duty of annually reporting “ progress ” 
by the substitution in the rule that compels them so to do of some 
word that at least connotes some less strenuous movement. 
We can, however, record progress in one respect, and that is that 
the secretaries’ persistent complaints as to the failure of members to 
furnish reports of their exhibits seem at last to be taking effect. It 
is certainly about time that such w r as the case, since the secretaries 
have been hammering at the point for at least ten years ; it now 
remains to convince members that it is necessary not only to report 
the species and its locality and date, but also the special points of interest 
which lead to its being exhibited, a detail which at present, curiously 
enough, many members treat as an altogether negligible factor. In 
the course of another ten years, perhaps, members may make this con¬ 
cession also to the secretaries, whose w T ork will then be so lightened 
that it may be no longer necessary to keep the same unfortunate 
individuals employed at its most onerous post year after year for lack 
of individuals willing to relieve them thereof. 
Three field meetings were held during the summer, which proved 
successful as usual, albeit the success—as it must be confessed, is not 
unusual—was of a social rather than of an entomological nature. 
Several donations have to be recorded, chief among them being 
Rev. C. R. N. Burrows’s gift of a microscope and lamp, and this is 
not the first time that we have had to acknowledge material indebted¬ 
ness to our genial chaplain. Mr. Mera has once more presented a 
volume of the Record to the library, and Mr. Hanbury has added the 
1908 edition of the London Catalogue of British Plants thereto. 
The winter programme proved, we think, to be up to the Society’s 
usual high standard, though it is to be regretted that no new essayist 
figured therein. 
The details of same are as follows :— 
1907, Dec. 17. Special Exhibit. Vanessa Urticae—cars <# abs. 
1908, Jan. 7. Pocket Box Exhibition. 
„ 21. Discussion.—“Issexualdimorphism 
affected by climatic conditions 
Opener: Dr. G. G. C. 
Hodgson. 
xvm. 
