13 
loosely tied when the needs of the Society became very pressing. And 
we must not forget that these same purse-strings are patiently 
awaiting the time when they shall close over an amount of £5 10s. 5d., 
which is still owing to their owner on account of previous deficits. 
We should like to mention also that there are some subscriptions still 
outstanding ; and, in case anyone here present should feel guilty in this 
respect, and should repent of his sin, Mr. Clark will be only too 
willing, on receipt of the usual fee, to grant him absolution by 
presenting him with a small slip of paper, duly signed and dated, in 
witness of his repentance. 
It is, perhaps, hardly necessary to revert to the subject of the 
Conversazione (held on February 5th), reports thereof having already 
appeared. Suffice it to say that it was a brilliant success on 
the whole, and notably so in the fact that the Society’s membership 
roll was increased by the addition of eight names, a circumstance 
believed to be almost entirely due to it. 
It is much to our regret that we have to announce a decrease in 
the number of members on our list. Last year the total stood at 80 ; 
this year it will drop to about 74, when all allowances have been made 
for new members, resignations and erasures. We may just mention 
that 13 fresh names will appear on our new list, while about 20 will 
be conspicuous by reason of their absence. Amongst the latter we 
must sorrowfully include that of our esteemed late Vice-President, Dr. 
F. J. Buckell, whose continued ill-health has compelled him to abstain 
from evening engagements ; hence his resignation. 
The attendance at the meetings during the past year leaves much 
to be desired, for, although it showed considerable improvement 
during the early months, the numbers fell greatly during the summer, 
which is, perhaps, only to be expected ; but they did not thoroughly 
rally in the autumn. The deficiency may partly be accounted for by 
the fact that the Conversazione took the place of the first meeting in 
February and that the records of the two December meetings are 
unavailable, owing to the loss of the attendance book. At all these 
meetings the attendance is usually good. The number of meetings 
under consideration, therefore, will only be 21, against 24 in 1894. 
The highest attendance at any one meeting was on the 19th of March 
—29 : and the lowest on the 6th of August, when the number of 
members present could just be counted on the fingers of both hands. 
The total attendance for the 21 meetings was 409, inclusive of 
visitors ; the average throughout was just over 19. Another point 
which affects this matter is, that we have had no eminent stranger to 
read us a paper this year. 
Amongst the additions to the Society’s Library we may specially 
mention that portion of the London Fauna List dealing with the 
Coleoptera ; for the compilation of this the Society is deeply indebted 
to its late member, Mr. H. Heasler, who performed his self-allotted 
task in a manner above all praise. We must not forget, also, a copy 
of the “ Romanes ” lecture for 1894, on “ The Effect of External 
Influences on the Development of Animals,” by Professor Weismann ; 
for the presentation of this the thanks of the Society are due to Mr, 
Bacot. 
