ANNUAL REPORT.
253
logical specimens, has left the forest district, but the Committee hope that
Mr. Wilson's assistance in this department will not cease with his change of
residence.
The Committee may be pardoned in expressing their pleasure in know-
ing that it was largely through the favourable impression produced by the
inspection of the Museum by the members of the Technical and Library
Committee of the Corporation of West Ham, that the Corporation agreed
to the Club's proposals with respect to the County Museum. The Technical
Instruction Committee visited the Museum in force on October 19th last,
and were met by the President and the Curator.
The Committee have to thank Mrs. Butt for the care she has bestowed
on the Museum during the past year.
In the previous report the Committee stated that efforts were being
made to obtain more space in the Museum, and that the Epping Forest
Committee of the Corporation of London had been approached with this object
in view. Judging from the two last Reports of the Epping Forest Committee,
it seems probable that the whole question of the repair of the Queen Elizabeth's
Lodge and the apportionment of more space for the Museum will be taken
in hand by the Corporation. But while being hopeful on this subject,
it would be manifestly useless for the Committee to speculate on what may
or may not be done, and we can only patiently await the outcome of our
application.
The Committee think that the Club is fully justified in considering the
experiment a successful one, but the Museum that stands still goes back, and
it is heartily to be wished that the Curator could be put into such a position
as would enable him without long delay to carry forward the good work we
have commenced. The forest district teems with life and with interesting
and instructive objects which should be illustrated in the Museum. What is
really wanted is systematic collecting, carried on with a definite object in
view, and with ample means of procuring bottles, boxes, cases, &c., &c., and
for securing skilled assistance in preserving the larger and more difficult
specimens.
Reference may be made to Dr. Cooke's paper "On the Essex Fungi,
and how they should be represented in the Museum" as giving details from
the botanical side, of the methods of exhibition that might advantageously
be adopted in the Museum did space and funds permit.
The Committee venture to hope that with the brighter days that seem
looming in the distance for the Club's Museums, that the members and the
general public will afford the necessary aid with some generosity and freedom.
President.—The Council have great pleasure in proposing Mr. Howard
for re-election as President.