NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY OF GLASGOW. 79 



tion. The gallery was hung with a set of diagrams, kindly- 

 contributed by Mr Page of Edinburgh, representing extinct plants 

 and animals; while at intervals there was suspended some noble 

 heads of deer, and other ruminants, from Dr Dewar's collection. 



Mr John Alexander contributed three cases of rare foreign 

 birds; Dr Colquhoun a very fine series of mounted algse from 

 the West Coast — a department in which were also very con- 

 spicuous another series by Dr John Grieve. Mr M. P. Bell's 

 collection of minerals created much interest by the large size 

 and value of the specimens; and at the end of the room a large 

 table was occupied by a selection from the geological cabinet of 

 Mr James Thomson — a section of the exhibition which, in common 

 with Mr Young's specimens, gave abundant proofs of the care 

 and discrimination of both gentlemen. 



At nine o'clock, the Council and some of the members having 

 assembled on the platform — Mr Michael Connal, Vice-President, in 

 the chair — the Secretary of the society, Mr Eobert Gray, gave a 

 short sketch of the society — its plans and progress. 



The Natural History Society of Glasgow was instituted in 1851 

 by a few naturalists in this city who felt desirous of establishing 

 in Glasgow a society for the pursuit of their mutual studies. The 

 roll of members at that time included the names of two well- 

 known citizens — Mr William Gourlay and Dr William Lorrain — 

 whose loss the society still deplores. Both took a prominent share 

 in its transactions, and, by their kind and genial manner, they 

 enlisted many others into the study of subjects Avhich have since 

 been investigated with the most satisfactory results. By their 

 influence and talents the society was enabled to take a place 

 among the scientific bodies of this country; and while the mem- 

 bers at this moment lament their untimely loss by death, they 

 are proud to think that the sapling which they planted has now 

 become a strong and vigorous tree. The objects of the society, as 

 stated in its constitution, are — to meet for the exhibition of speci- 

 mens, both native and foreign; the reading of communications; 

 excursions for mutual improvement; and the encouragement, in 

 all its branches, of the pursuit of natural history. During the 

 twelve years it has been in existence, the proceedings have been 

 characterised by many valuable papers on the fauna and flora of 

 the West of Scotland, some of which have already appeared, 

 through various channels, before the public. The geological, 



