them would really begin work in some department of Natural History, and keep to it. These men when once interested would be untiring students. He concluded an admirable speech by proposing a vote of thanks to the President for his address.
Major Barnard seconded the motion. The part of the address which elicited his warmest sympathies was that in which the President spoke of the duties of Naturalists and how they should endeavour to spread the knowledge of Natural History in general He was of opinion that the Midland Union of Naturalists would become, in a few years, a Society of considerable influence in the country at large. He hoped one object would be kept in view by the members of the Union, namely, that of promoting the study of Natural History in our schools. No doubt a great many efforts were being made in that direction at the present time, but still a little gentle pressure would, he was sure, be productive of good. It was true that a great many schools professed to teach Natural Science, but when they came to look into the matter they found, somehow or other, that the leaching of Natural History occupied only a very small corner. Indeed, he had found, from enquiries he had made, that one lesson a week was the maximum. He thought, therefore, it might be a legitimate thing for the members to do, and he felt assured so large a number of members, with such an amount of influence as they possessed, would, if they brought that influence to bear, be able to achieve great results in that direction.
The motion was put and carried unanimously, and briefly acknowledged by the Chairman.
The report of the Council was then read by Mr. W. J. Harrison.
After detailing the history of the formation of the Union, (see pages 1 te 4 "Midland Naturalist,") it went on to speak of the journal of the Union—the "Midland Naturalist"-and expressed the opinion that it had already fully realised the expectations of the Council, and urged all members who are not at present subscribers to become so at once. The report then proceeded as follows:—
"The Societies constituting the Union are—
- The Birmingham Natural History and Microscopical Society.
- The Birmingham Philosophical Society.
- The Birmingham and Midland Institute Scientific Society.
- The Birmingham School Natural History Society.
- The Burton-on-Trent Natural History and Arolæological Society.
- The Caradoc Field Club.
- The Cheltenham: Natural Science Society.
- The Derbyshire Naturalists' Society.
- The Dudley and Midland Geological and Scientific Society and Field Club.
- The Evesham Field Naturalists' Club.
- The Leicester Literary and Philosophical Society.
- The Northampton Naturalists' Society.
- The Nottingham Literary and Philosophical Society.
- The Nottingham Naturalists Society.
- The Rugby School Natural History Society.
- The Oswestry and Welshpool Naturalists' Field Club.
- The Severn Valley Naturalists' Field Club.
- The Shropshire Archælogical and Natural History Society.
- The Stroud Natural History and Philosophical Society.
- The Tamworth Natural History, Geological, and Antiquarian Society,
and - The Woolhope Naturalists' Field Club.
