LINNEAN SOCIETY OF LONDON. XIX 



Bead also, a Note " On the Vitality of Seeds after prolonged 

 submersion in the Sea ;" by S. James A. Salter, Esq., M.B. Lond., 

 F.L.S. &c. (See " Botanical Proceedings," p. 140.) 



. Bead further, a Paper " On the Homopterous Insects of Sin- 

 gapore and Malacca ;" by Francis "Walker, Esq., F.L.S. &c. (See 

 "Zoological Proceedings," p. 82.) 



May 24th, 1856. 



Thomas Bell, Esq., President, in the Chair. 



This day, the Anniversary of the birth of Linnaeus, and that 

 appointed by the Charter for the Election of Council and Officers, 

 the President opened the business of the Meeting with the fol- 

 lowing Address : — 



Gentlemen, 

 In reviewing the events of the past year, in connexion with the 

 objects of the Linnean Society, there are, perhaps, few striking 

 facts to record of particular interest to the Society itself, or bear- 

 ing, in any marked degree, upon the advance of Natural History 

 in general. There has been no very important discovery enunci- 

 ated, of a character to impugn former theories or systems, or to 

 establish new ones ; no new foundation or institution inaugurated, 

 by which Natural Science will be materially extended or diffused. 

 But, on the other hand, the general progress of this branch of 

 knowledge has been steadily going on ; and, if the year which has 

 elapsed since I last addressed you may not hereafter constitute 

 one of those bright, red-letter periods which will live in history as 

 the turning-point of some important department of discovery, yet 

 the accumulation of new facts, tending to the elucidation of various 

 doubtful questions, and the settlement of previously debated 

 theories, will be found sufficient at least to preclude any feeling 

 of dissatisfaction or disappointment. Within our own sphere, I 

 may appeal to the numerous valuable papers which have been 

 read at our meetings, and have already been, or are about to be, 

 published in our Transactions and Proceedings, and to the con- 

 tinued, perhaps I may say the increased interest of our meetings — 

 to show that our energies are at least undiminished ; and our 

 efficacy, as the principal medium of the advancement of natural 

 science in this country, unimpaired. The general appreciation of 

 the character of the Society in this point of view, is evidenced by 



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