272 THE ESSEX NATURALIST.
This was a very wide subject and there were many speakers
in addition to Mr. Whitaker ; the consensus of opinion may be
briefly summarized. It was suggested that the work done by
the various Societies should be made widely known in their
respective districts, that reports of their meetings, etc., should
be sent to the local press, and that everything relating to the
district should be recorded. Mr. Whitaker laid great stress
on the recording of small facts, and deprecated burdening the
local Societies with the cost of printing other matter than that
relating to their area. Professor Turner and Professor J. L.
Myers, joint secretaries of the Association, spoke of the valuable
work done by the Corresponding Societies, and the latter suggested
the advisability of keeping in touch with nature study scholars
after they left their class studies. Several delegates referred to
the increased cost of meetings and of publishing their transac-
tions. The Chairman suggested curtailing the reports of pro-
ceedings. He mentioned that he had seen a printed report in
the Journal of a certain Society where 48 pages were taken up
in recording the proceedings of their annual dinner !
Several delegates suggested the more frequent change of
office-bearers and Committee, and two or three even went so far
as to suggest that this should apply also to the Local Secretaries.
Mr. Whitaker, in closing the debate, agreed that it was advisable
to have a change in the office-bearers and Committee, but as to
the Secretary, he said, "You should be very careful in selecting
your Secretary, and when you have got him, keep him as long
as you can."
He submitted the following motion :—''That this Conference
recommends the Council to call a meeting of the delegates and
office-bearers of the respective Corresponding Societies, to be
held in London at a convenient date, when this subject may
be further discussed." The motion was agreed to by a majority.
ESSEX MUSEUM LIBRARY DESIDERATA.
Inserted loosely with this Part will be found a list of
Parts of Transactions of Societies and other publications,
required to complete the Club's Library sets. Members
who may happen to possess any such Parts which they can
spare, are cordially invited to forward them to either the
Hon. Librarian or the Hon. Secretary at the Essex Museum,
Stratford, where they will be gratefully received and
acknowledged.