XXX11 
PROCEEDINGS, 
fraught with disastrous consequences to the existing flora 
and fauna. 
The following resolution was carried:—“ That this Conference 
of Delegates of Corresponding Societies affirms the desirability 
of bringing under the notice of Local Societies the necessity for 
preserving the fauna and flora of their respective districts 
against wanton destruction or careless and heedless collecting.” 
Mr. F. A. Bellamy exhibited his method for the permanent 
recording of Natural History or other observations by means of 
a Card Catalogue. 
Visit to Dr. H. R. Mill’s Meteorological Observatory, 
24th April, 1909. 
This observatory, which is at 62 Camden Square, London, 
was founded by the late Mr. Gr. J. Symons in the year 1860 as 
the headquarters of the British Rainfall Organization, and is 
now under the management of Dr. H. R. Mill, who, with his 
assistants, Mr. Carle Salter and Mr. Carter, courteously received 
the members and showed the various meteorological instruments, 
explaining their construction and working and the method of 
observation. These include barometers, thermometers of various 
kinds, sunshine recorders, rain and evaporation gauges, and 
anemometers, some for observation at selected times—9 a.m., 
3 p.m., and 9 p.m.—and others automatic or self-recording on 
charts which usually have to be removed and replaced by blank 
ones daily. 
Of the self-recording instruments the most interesting is that 
called the brontometer, a beautifully constructed and apparently 
rather complicated apparatus designed by Mr. Symons to record 
all the atmospheric and electric changes which take place during 
thunder-storms. 
An important feature of the work carried on here, introduced 
and perfected by Dr. Mill, is the preparation of maps showing 
the distribution of rainfall all over the British Isles, the value 
of which to those who are interested in agriculture and water- 
supply can hardly be over-estimated. The keeping of rainfall 
records, Dr. Mill said, is a very simple matter which can be 
attended to under suitable direction by any intelligent gardener 
or coachman (or, the writer can testify by experience, domestic 
servant), and the necessary instructions will be forwarded, on 
application to him, to anyone willing to undertake this useful 
and interesting work. It was the opinion of Mr. Symons that 
the personal observation of rainfall was also health-giving, from 
the regular habits induced by the examination of one’s rain- 
gauge at 9 o’clock every morning, in proof of which he adduced 
the usual longevity of observers. 
Dr. Mill alluded to the meteorological work carried on by 
members of the Hertfordshire Natural History Society and 
others in the county, and said that while there was a good army 
