REPORTS OF MEETINGS 269
and maintains its place as a prime source of information on the natural
history of the county. Reports of all meetings and many interesting papers
and notes will be found therein.
The balance sheet produced by our Honorary Treasurer. Mr. David S.
Blair, will clearly show the sound financial state of the Club. In these
days of inflationary tendencies, the Council is grateful for the enquiring
mind and constant vigilance of the Honorary Treasurer.
The death of Mr. Sidney Waller, for some time Honorary Curator of
the Passmore Edwards Museum, and well known for his original work on
the Wanstead Sycamore disease, leaves a most noticeable gap in our ranks.
The death of Mr. William Howard, who had been a well-loved member
for 42 years, was a grievous blow and caused a cessation of the work on
the Club's copy of the Comital Flora. We are fortunate, however, in having
Mr. Bernard Ward's undertaking to continue this work.
REPORTS OF MEETINGS
Ordinary Meeting (969th Meeting)
SATURDAY, 30 JANUARY. 1951
The meeting was held at the West Ham College of Technology at 3 p.m.
The chair was taken by the President, Professor C. T. Ingold. Thirty-four
members and friends attended.
Mr. Bernard Ward exhibited a herbarium sheet of Cuscuta australis R.Br.
collected by him on a rubbish tip at Barking on 31st October, 1953. He
also exhibited sheets of other species of Cuscuta from the Club's herbarium
for comparison.
Mr. Syms spoke of the arrangements being made to hold a series of
exhibitions in the Museum during the summer months. At present an
exhibit of Natural History books old and new was on view.
Mr. E. P. Williams announced that he had some young Stick Insects
available for members who wished to have them.
The President referred to the loss sustained by the Club by the death
this month of Mr. William Howard. He said that although he had not
himself known Mr. Howard for very long, he had already come to appreciate
the charm of his character and knew something of the value members
placed upon his friendship and his devotion to the Club.
The President then introduced Brigadier Smith, Immediate Past President
of the Royal Microscopical Society, who was to speak on "The Microscope
in the Field".
Brigadier Smith showed a portable microscope of 1790 and, in comparison,
a modern Zeiss-type L-.R. portable microscope such as he himself used
on his caravan holidays. He then showed a long series of hand-coloured
lantern slides prepared by Rev. Dr. Dallinger, F.R.S., about 1880. The
subjects illustrated included Hydra, diatoms, rotifers and many other
microscopic plants and animals, the slides all being artistically coloured
and altogether charming examples of this great scientist's work. Bach
slide was commented upon by the lecturer in a most interesting manner,
and the interest of the audience was held by his evident personal knowledge
of each of the subjects shown.
After the lecture, Brigadier Smith was cordially thanked by the President
and the members adjourned to another room of the College for tea.