126 niTBUN NATUBAL HISTORY SOCIETY. 



Teeasttreb. — Richard P. Williams, M. R. I. A. 

 Director op Museum. — Robert J. Montgomery. 

 Secretaries. — John R. Kinahan, M. D., M. R. I. A., F. L. S. ; "William 

 Archer. 



Professor Harvey then left the chair, which was taken by — 



WiLUAV Andrews, Esq., M. R. I. A., President. 



Professor Harvey briefly returned thanks to the Society for the posi- 

 tion in which they had placed him during the past two Sessions, and 

 congratulated the Meeting on the choice just made in electing, as his 

 successor, a member whose exertions for the Society, through many 

 years, were too well known to the Society to need any comment on his 

 part. 



The President then made the following observations : — 



Gentlemen, — In returning thanks to the Society for the very flattering 

 and high position in which it has placed me, I cannot but feel diffident 

 in accepting such a post, more especially as successor to one so distin- 

 guished for his high mental qualifications, and his untiring zeal in fol- 

 lowing out those branches of science that he has so successfully advanced. 

 I cannot but feel gratified, however, at being chosen, and especially at 

 the reason suggested for my election — that the Presidentship of this 

 Society should be looked on as a post of honour, to be conferred on those 

 members who have distinguished themselves in the cause of science, and 

 in the desire to promote the interests of the Society. 



1 have now nearly completed eighteen years as one of your Secreta- 

 ries ; and I cannot but feel deeply grateful for the unvaried confidence, 

 kindness, and support that have at all times been given to me hj the 

 members, and for the kind and zealous co-operation of those gentlemen 

 who have been associated with me in office. It is needless for me to 

 dwell upon the vicissitudes and difficulties that the Society has passed 

 through during the period ; but a uniform line of integrity in carrying 

 out and promoting the objects for which the Society was established has 

 enabled it to continue, without cessation or interruption, its annual Ses- 

 sions, and now to present among its list of officers the names of many 

 gentlemen maintaining the highest positions in science. 



So suddenly, I may say, has this honour been made known to me, that 

 it does not permit my giving details of the objects which influence our 

 meetings. Indeed, it would have been an unnecessary taslc, for they 

 have been oft repeated. I may merely remark, that although the work- 

 ings of this Society are chiefly confined to the elucidation of such objects 

 in this country as relate to the Natural Sciences; and- notwithstanding 

 all that has been hitherto accomplished independently of the recorded 

 transactions of this Society, — we have still much to explore and to correct 

 in the knowledge of our Natural History, which must give ample scope 

 and reward to the zealous studies of the young aspirant. I cannot avoid 

 mentioning a singular fact, that may stimulate us to put prominently 



