6 



stratigraphical arrangement of Fossils and "Rocks, and 

 have also felt hurt at seeing so many valuable speci- 

 mens lying exposed to injury ; but it is hoped that, 

 before another anniversary, those causes of complaint 

 will be removed, that the usefulness of our Institution 

 may be increased, and our precious fossil stores se- 

 cured from danger. 



The number of Visitors entered since the last an- 

 nual meeting, is somewhat less than in the former 

 year, being 475 ; and the amount received for admis- 

 sion is only £9. Among the visitors, there has been 

 a considerable proportion of men of science, from 

 various parts of the world. To such our collection 

 of Fossils will always be an object of deep interest ; 

 especially when, by an improved arrangement, it will 

 be exhibited to greater advantage. This, it is hoped, 

 will be effected before next autumn, when the British 

 Association meets at Newcastle ; on which occasion, 

 not a few of the Officers and Members of that 

 Association, those especially who are engaged in 

 Geological pursuits, may be expected to visit us. 



The Council have to state, with much regret, that 

 the hope expressed in last Report, that this year 

 would produce an increase in literary and scientific 

 communications, has not been realized; for, with the 

 exception of an abstract of the transactions of the 

 British Association at Liverpool, given by Mr. Young 

 this morning, no Essay or paper has been publicly 

 read in the course of the .year. Instead of inquiring 

 into the causes of this failure, it will be more useful to 

 observe, that some provision has been made to pre- 



