Devon and Cornwall Natural Hi; lory Society. 523 



were many ladies resident in the town and neighbourhood. This 

 Society has been established about three years, and numbers above 

 a hundred Members. Lectures are delivered weekly during the six 

 summer months, and monthly conversaziones held during the winter. 

 Zoological, Botanical, Geological and Statistical Sections have been 

 formed, which meet at stated periods, and from which much valuable 

 local information may be anticipated. Lieut.. -Col. Hamilton Smith, 

 K.H., K.W., F.R.IS., F.L.S., &c. &c. &c, the well-known naturalist, 

 is the President of the Society. 



Captain Creyke, R.N., one of the Vice-Presidents, was requested 

 to preside on this occasion. 



Capt. Creyke, on being called to the chair, mentioned the encouraging 

 prospects of the Society on the opening of their new rooms at the com- 

 mencement of the new year, and the pleasing business of the evening, 

 the presentation of the portrait of their highly talented and esteemed 

 President. 



A testimonial relative to this gratifying object having been read by Mr. 

 Markes, as Secretary of a Committee appointed for the purpose, Mr. G. W. 

 Soltau congratulated the Society upon having obtained a room so well qua- 

 lified for the delivery of its Lectures, and possessing such excellent accom- 

 modation for the reception of the Museum, which he hoped at no very di- 

 stant period would rival any in the West of England, and in a situation so 

 accessible to country subscribers and to all who might visit the neighbour- 

 hood ; and alluded to the advantages of such Societies from that friendly 

 feeling which is engendered amongst all classes in the search of truth and 

 investigation of nature. 



" Plymouth," observed Mr. Soltau, " presents peculiar attractions for the 

 formation of a Natural History Society, when we reflect that we are situated 

 in one of the largest harbours of England, which daily offers additions to 

 our Museum, obtained from every quarter of the globe ; that we are situated 

 in the midst of the most extensive mining district in Britain, and that our 

 soil produces some of the rarest specimens of the vegetable world. We have 

 now a place suitable for the reception of those wonders of nature, and which 

 is at all times open to any individual who may take pleasure in their inves- 

 tigation; and allow me specially to remark, that we are most ready at all 

 times to further and assist the most humble inquirer after knowledge. Allow 

 me now, in behalf of several of the Members of this Institution, to present 

 the portrait of Lieut.-Col. Hamilton Smith to this Society. His name, his 

 talents, his acquirements, are too well known here, are too well known 

 wherever science is appreciated or knowledge sought, to require any remarks 

 from me. Long, long may the original of that portrait remain amongst us, 

 to benefit us by his counsel, to aid us by his advice, and add lustre to the 

 Devon and Cornwall Natural History Society !" 



The Chairman, having warmly expressed his sense of the talents and 

 worth of the President, and the obligations which he had conferred upon 

 the Society, the adoption of the testimonial proposed by the Committee ha- 

 ving been carried by acclamation, the Chairman resigned the chair to Lieut.- 

 Col. Hamilton Smith, who delivered the following address : — 



" Gentlemen, — At length we have the pleasure of meeting in our new lo- 

 cality ; in a situation where I trust the Society will long continue to flourish 

 in zeal and unanimity, with advantage to the studious portion of these towns 

 and honour to itself. The situation where we are now assembled is one of 

 the most convenient that could be selected, for Members residing at opposite 

 distances will find it nearly central. The space we already possess, with 

 the additional rooms which we shall obtain on or before next Midsummer, 



