ANNUAL REPORT.
247
losses by resignation amounted to sixteen, but these were more than counter-
balanced by the election of forty new members. The numerical strength of
the Club on December 31st was as follows :—Life Members, 28 ; Ordinary
Members, 220 ; Ordinary Members (1893), 33 ; Honorary and Exempt
Members, 21 ; making a total of 302. There are also six subscribers to the
Forest Museum, who are not members of the Club.
Meetings.—The Field Meetings have been exceptionally well attended.
A very successful meeting was that held on July 21st at Bishop's Stortford
and Easton Lodge, near Dunmow, when a discussion took place on the pro-
tection of our native animals and plants. On this occasion the Club was
most hospitably received by the Countess of Warwick, who did all in her
power to render the visit to Easton Lodge pleasant and interesting. Mr.
Marshall Taylor also most kindly received the party at Bishop's Stortford.
Another notable meeting was that held in the Colne Estuary on Septem-
ber 9th, and the Council wish specially to record the thanks of the Club to
the Colne Fisheries Board for the facilities afforded in inspecting the oyster
feeding grounds and to Mr. Shenstone and Mr. Benham for aid rendered in
the conduct of the meeting. The Annual Fungus Meeting was held on
October 16th at Warren Hill House, on the invitation of Mr. and Mrs. S. H.
Johnson who received and entertained the Club in the kindest way. The
institution of the Annual Supper on December nth proved a success, and the
Council anticipate that the fixture will be very popular with the members as
it becomes better known. In connection with the various meetings held
during the year, the Council have great pleasure in acknowledging valuable
aid rendered by the following gentlemen :— Mr. E. D. Marquand, Mr. T. V.
Holmes, F.G.S., the Rev. R. C. M. Rous, Mr. F. Hughes, F.C.S., Professor
Boulger, F.L.S., Mr. S. A. Sewell, F.R.H.S., Mr. G. E. Pritchet, F.S.A.,
Mr. J. L. Glasscock, Mr. C. G. Barrett, F.E.S., Professor Meldola, F.R.S.
Mr. W. Whittaker, F.R.S., Mr. J. E. Harting, F.L.S., Dr. H. C. Sorby,
F.R.S., Mr. J. C. Shenstone, Mr. C. E. Benham, Mr. E. A. Fitch, F.L.S.,
Mr. Edgar Newman, Mr. W. M. Webb, F.L.S., Mr. R. O. Coombs Messrs.
Forrest and Sons, Dr. M. C. Cooke, A.L.S., Mr. E. M. Holmes, F.L.S., and
Mr. G. Massey, F.L.S.
The number of meetings held was ten ; the interest at all of them was
well maintained, but it is a matter for regret that members do not more
generally exhibit specimens at the meetings; exhibits and remarks on the
same are always welcomed, and they often tend to elicit interesting
information and to promote useful discussion.
The Club is again indebted to Mr. H. A. Cole for drawings used in
illustrating the circulars and reports of the Field Meetings.
Publications.—Four parts of the Essex Naturalist were published
within the year 1897, comprising with Title and Index to Volume IX, 236
pages. With the first part of Vol. X., which was published in April, the work
of the new printer, Mr. Dutton, of Chelmsford, commenced, and the Council
are well satisfied with the manner in which the Journal has been produced ;
while at the same time, the cost of production has been lessened. It is the
constant care of the Council and the Editor to preserve the local character
of the Journal, but the importance of a comprehensive study of natural
history is not lost sight of, the E.N. not being allowed to become a men;