40 
operate in the Society’s reports as much as possible, and we can only 
trust that those who have so far seen fit to ignore this rule, will quickly 
see the error of their ways, and work heartily with us in future. Save 
for this, and the points mentioned above, we have only to thank you 
again sincerely for the assistance and encouragement you have given 
us at our work. We are deeply sensible of the honour you have done 
us by re-electing us to the important and trustworthy post that we now 
hold, and we can only assure you that we will do our utmost to con¬ 
tinue to merit the Society’s confidence. 
Lawrence J. Tremayne, ) tt 0 
H. A. SaozS, j Hon - W 
The Treasurer’s Balance Sheet was read. (This is included at the 
end of the Transactions). It was decided that a statement should be 
incorporated showing the sums due to the Society, and the Balance 
Sheet further considered at the next meeting. 
The following were elected Council for 1898 :—President, Mr. J. 
W. Tutt, F.E.S.; Vice-Presidents, Mr. J. A. Clark, F.E.S., M.P.S., 
Mr. Frederick J. Hanhury, F.L.S.,F.E.S., Mr.Louis B. Prout, F.E.S.; 
Treasurer, Mr. C. Nicholson, F.E.S.; Secretaries, Mr. Lawrence J. 
Tremayne, Mr. H. A. Sauz6; Librarians, Mr. Louis B. Prout, F.E.S., 
Mr. Douglas C. Bate; Curators, Mr. E. M. Dadd, Mr. W. Ilston 
Cox; and Mr. A. Bacot, Mr. H. H. May, Mr. A. F. Bayne, Mr. E. 
Ileasler, Mr. H. Heasler. 
The President then read the following : 
PRESIDENTIAL ADDRESS. 
Gentlemen, 
We have reached the end of another year in the history of our 
Society, and I have arrived at the termination of another year of 
office as President. I am afraid that I have not served you as well 
as you have a right to expect, and I have to thank one of our Vice- 
Presidents, Mr. Clark, for his willingness to take up my duties when 
I was unable to be present, and, at the same time, I wish to thank 
you all for your kindly forbearance. In spite, however, of my short¬ 
comings, you have elected me for another year to the highest office in 
your gift. There is, I know, much to be said against the re-election 
of the same member to the Presidential chair, but that is your concern. 
I can only thank you for the honour you have done me. 
OBSERVATION VERSUS COLLECTING. 
The general affairs of the Society have already been dealt with at 
length by your Treasurer and Secretaries. I must congratulate the 
members on the work of the year, and particularly on that accomplished 
by your leading members. The actual scientific work accomplished 
is, however, in the hands of a few, yet this need not be so, for every 
recorded observation made in the study or in the field, is as truly 
scientific as the more elaborate work of better trained and better 
placed students, and such observations may be made by all. To those 
members who are yet rather collectors than observers, I say, without 
hesitation, that when you have once learned to observe, you will find 
moro pleasure and satisfaction in your observations, than does the 
collector in his specimens. 
TIIK VALUE OF THE TRANSACTIONS OF OUR SMALLER SCIENTIFIC SOCIETIES. 
Still it must be acknowledged with pleasure that tho number of 
