more important of these desiderata has been issued. The Curators will feel
very grateful for any aid in filling up these lacunae. And of course donations
of books treating of our special subjects will always be most welcome to our
growing collection.
As the Library increases in size and importance the need of a Catalogue
becomes more and more evident; this matter must needs be taken in hand
in the near future.
The Museums.—The usual steady progress has been maintained at
the Essex Museum, but no very important collections have been added.
Mr. Alfred Bell has presented an almost complete collection of the ancient
and modern British species of Ostrea, in illustration of his paper on the
subject—"Oysters Pliocene to Recent." A leaflet has been prepared for
distribution to the Schools in the Borough of West Ham for the purpose of
better making known the specimens and collections available for teaching
purposes, and the extensive set of books on Natural History now available for
those wishful for serious study. Tickets are being issued to Teachers enabling
them to borrow books, in accordance with the arrangements made with the
Education Committee.
With regard to the Forest Museum it should be reported that Mr. Mitford,
the well-known ornithologist, had presented to the Corporation of London
a very extensive collection of British Birds and Birds' Eggs. The Corporation
had placed this collection in the Museum, and had requested the Curator to
report on the best method of exhibiting the collection in the Queen Elizabeth's
Lodge. This report had been presented, but subsequently the Committee of
the Corporation decided to leave the collection in the original cases, as they
"did not feel justified at the present time in incurring the somewhat heavy
expense which would be otherwise involved."
The Essex Naturalist.—Parts X—XII of Volume XVII have been
issued, together with the Supplement to the Year-Book, 1913-14, and Title
and Index to Volume XVI. A part is now being prepared dealing with the
shorter papers in hand, and bringing up the reports to the date of the present
annual meeting. The publication of two or three very heavy papers in hand
is still under the consideration of the Council.
The Conversazione at the Institute took place on 21st February, and as
customary the Club provided a special exhibition in the Museum. The
principal item was a long series of Microscopes, which was arranged under
the care of Mr. Joseph Wilson, F.R.M.S. Members of the Royal Microscopical
Society, the Quekett Club, and the Essex Field Club provided the instruments
and objects, which were mainly living examples of Pond-life. The thanks
of the Club are due to Mr. Wilson for the great pains he took in this matter.
Other exhibits comprised a collection of specimens illustrating the Natural
History of the Honey-Bee and Appliances for Bee-Keeping, and some trans-
parences of Colour-Photographs shown by Mr. E. Cuzner.
Deaths of Members.—The Council records with deep regret the death
of two distinguished members of the Club. Dr. M. C. Cooke, who died at
Southsea on 12th November, was one of the first Honorary Members of the
Club, and had been the principal "Conductor" and Referee at a long series
of Fungus Forays commencing on 2nd October 1880, and for many years he
was the leading spirit at these meetings. Mr. F. W. Rudler died on 23rd
January. Mr. Rudler was elected an Honorary Member in 1884, and served
as President in 1903-4. Mr. Rudler's advice and assistance was always
greatly valued. Of the scientific eminence of these two distinguished members
it is unnecessary to speak, and their loss will be much felt by all attendants
at the meetings.
NEW MEMBERS SINCE LAST LIST.
Burrows, Henry, Hillside, Lawford. 1915.
Forrest, G. Topham, The Temple, Witham. 1914.
Gray, H. Norman, F.S.I., etc., "Newlyn," 24, Westcliff Parade, Southend,
1914.
Ivey, George W., "Alcyone," Harrow Drive, Romford. 1915.
Seabrook, John, 56, Durham Road, Manor Park, E. 1915.
Stubbs, Frederick J., Curator, Stepney Borough Museum, Whitechapel.
1915.