ANNUAL CONGRESS OR CONFERENCE. 365
to see an "East Anglian" natural history periodical, carried
on by some arrangement with the societies in the three
counties. The district lends itself to such a mode of
illustration. It is impossible to separate the marine fauna
of Essex, Suffolk and Norfolk. Our birds and mammals have
very much in common, and formations like the Crags and
the London Clay can hardly be considered as belonging to one
county more than another. To know that the observations
made in this exceedingly interesting district were to be found
registered in one journal, would certainly be a gain to the
local natural history literature of England. One can foresee
many difficulties in the way of the establishment of such a
a periodical, but they ought not to be insurmountable. A
scheme could easily be suggested—the real difficulties would
lie in retaining the reasonable control of the journal by each
society, and at the same time securing broadness of treat-
ment, the exclusion of merely trivial matter, and scientific
accuracy and method. An "East Anglian Quarterly Journal of
Natural History" is a consummation to be hoped for rather
than confidently expected for some time to come.
Mr. Cole concluded by moving :—
"That in the opinion of the representatives of the
three societies here assembled the establishment of an
Annual Congress or Conference is much to be desired, and
it is recommended that steps be at once taken to form a
Committee of the societies to promote such a Congress in
1899."
Professor R. Meldola, F.R.S. (Vice-President, E.F.C), as
Chairman of the Corresponding Societies' Committee of the
British Association, from which the suggestion of federation
emanated, agreed with most of Mr. Cole's remarks, and
strongly favoured co-operation among Societies. There were
various degrees of federation, which did not mean that any
society should wipe itself out, but simply that there should be
co-operation in some form, to be determined by the societies
themselves, and by the character of their districts. As to the
question of federation between the Societies of the Eastern
Counties, he hoped something would be done as the result of the
present meeting. He begged leave to second the resolution.
Mr. T. Southwell, F.Z.S. (Norfolk and Norwich Society)
speaking in support, apologized for the absence of the President
and Secretary of the Norfolk and Norwich Naturalists' Society.
The subject of federation had, he observed, always been near to
his heart, because so much was lost which might be saved by