524 Devon and Cornivall Natural History Society. 



will supply all the accommodation the Society can reasonably want for some 

 years ; and should the pursuit of natural history become so prosperous that 

 by that time our space within this building should become insufficient, I am 

 sure every Member present will admit such a result would be one of con- 

 gratulation more than regret. As far as my own opinions are concerned, 

 I feel we are now in possession of a Lectui'e Room sufficient for the wants 

 of the Society, and of additional space for the exhibition of our geological and 

 mineralogical specimens, for a Committe Room and Library, and for a Store 

 Room, all on one floor, exclusively tenanted by ourselves, in a handsome 

 building and remote from noisy interruptions. I deem it a favourable omen, 

 that on this day of our first assembling here the Meeting should be graced 

 by the presence of ladies. Here let us hope that we shall often be again 

 honoured by their presence ; nay, more, that they will deem it time well em- 

 ployed, occasionally to come and participate in some branches of our pur- 

 suits. Here we may look forward, in the course of next August, to find a 

 portion of the British Association, such, for example, as the Medical Section, 

 promulgating and discussing some of those immensely important discoveries 

 which the zeal and profound abilities of the first men of their class in Eu- 

 rope are constantly bringing forward on occasion of their Annual Meetings; 

 and before I proceed, I beg to announce to the Society, that I have received 

 an official communication from the Plymouth Council, appointed to make the 

 preparatory arrangements, — a communication which the Secretary will have 

 the goodness to read to you in the course of this evening. But to proceed : 

 it is in this room 1 fondly hope the Society will pursue, with renovated spirit, 

 the several subjects of inquiry embraced by its Sections: here Zoology and 

 Botany will receive their due share of attention ; Geology and Mineralogy 

 will be carried on with that enlightened zeal which is already beginning to 

 bear fruit in the vicinity. Here, as soon as fit elements can be created, i 

 shall be anxious to propose the formation of an Agricultural and Horticul- 

 tural Section, with a view of spreading in these counties, among the smaller 

 proprietors and agriculturists, information on the progress made in other 

 districts and abroad." 



The President then expressed the sincere gratification he felt at the spon- 

 taneous and valuable testimony of approbation of his exertions in the cause 

 of science, and of personal regard which he had received. 



The letter from the Local Council stated that the British Association would 

 visit these towns in the early part of the ensuing autumn, and that the libe- 

 ral support of the nobility and gentry of the two counties was looked for- 

 ward to with confidence by the Council. 



Mr. J. C. Bellamy, one of the Curators, announced the following dona- 

 tions to the Society since the last Meeting : — 



A valuable collection of Minerals, from Sir George Magrath; Fossils, 

 Minerals, Birds and Shells, Rev. W. S. Hore ; Minerals, W. R. Newton, 

 jun. ; Land Shells of Devon and Cornwall, Rev. C. A. Johns ; Coral, 

 Lieut.-Col. H. Smith; Ornithorhynchus paradoxus, Capt. Smith; Fossils, 

 Dr. Tripe ; Birds, Mr. A. Pincombe ; Birds, Rev. F. Ly te ; Grasses, &c, 

 Adj. Stevens, R.M. 



The Rev. C. A. Johns, F.L.S., rose and said, " I cannot allow the even- 

 ing to pass without proposing a resolution, which I am confident will meet 

 with the cordial support of every Member present. We are all aware that 

 the very being of a Natural History Society depends upon its Museum ; for 

 without the opportunity of constantly referring to specimens, neither the 

 tyro nor the proficient in natural history can expect to derive much benefit. 

 Through the kindness of our numerous Members our Museum already con- 

 tains a great number of specimens ; but this is not enough, for without order 

 and arrangement their value is greatly diminished. This desirable object 

 was effected, so far as space would allow, in our late rooms, and for this wo 



