1921.] 
Letters , Extracts , and Notes. 
35 7 
Mr. Seth Smith proposed and the Kev. J. R. Hale seconded 
a vote of thanks to the Auditor. 
These were carried unanimously, as was also a vote of 
thanks to the Chairman. 
The Annual Dinner after the Meeting was well attended, 
over 100 members being present. 
The Oxford Expedition to Spitsbergen. 
An expedition to Spitsbergen is being organized by the 
University of Oxford, and a sum of at least <£3000 is required 
to carry out the work. The Oxford expedition is entirely 
scientific in its objects and aspirations. Special attention 
will he paid to ornithology. The breeding-habits and 
migratory movements of many of the rarer Arctic species 
are practically unknown, and the problem of reversed sexual 
selection, a subject very inadequately investigated, is found 
exclusively among birds whose breeding-grounds are in the 
north. The ornithological members of the party will make 
close and extensive observations and will not confine them¬ 
selves to eggs and skins. 
The expedition has the sanction and support of the 
University of Oxford, as well as of the heads of all the 
scientific departments concerned. It is proposed that two 
parties shall go out in sealing-sloops, the first early in June 
and the second a few weeks later, when the north coast is 
more likely to be free from ice. Although, as we have said, 
a sum of at least £3000 is necessary, if a larger sum is forth¬ 
coming the scope of the expedition, which will last only two 
or three months, could be profitably enlarged. The Rev. 
F. C. R. Jourdain is Chairman of the Committee, and con¬ 
tributions will be welcomed by and should be addressed to 
Mr. G. Binney, Hon. Secretary, Oxford University Ex¬ 
pedition to Spitsbergen, Merton College, Oxford. 
