PRELIMINARY NOTICE. 



Tt has been customary to prefix to each new volume of the 

 Transactions a " Preliminary Notice" explanatory of the posi- 

 tion of the Society and of its progress during the two years 

 which have elapsed since the commencement of the preceding 

 volume. On this occasion the Directors have not only to present 

 a new volume, but the first of a new series, and a brief* refer- 

 ence to the origin of the Transactions, and to the periods at 

 which the various series have appeared, may not be inappropriate. 



The first series commenced in 1799. It was published at 

 intervals, and six volumes were brought out between that date 

 and 1824. The second appeared in 1828, was published quar- 

 terly, and comprised eight volumes. The third commenced in 

 1843, and was also a quarterly publication; it was continued 

 till 1865, when its eleventh volume was completed. 



Since 1828, the Transactions were published by Messrs. 

 Blackwood, and were sold to the members of the Society at a 

 reduced price. A feeling, however, had long prevailed that the 

 Society itself should undertake their publication, and issue them 

 to members without charge. This desire the Directors now find 

 themselves enabled to gratify, owing to the increased opulence 

 of the Society, and it has accordingly been arranged that Eeports, 

 Premium-Books, Prize Essays, and other official documents, 

 shall be printed and circulated annually, two numbers, or the 

 Transactions for two years, forming a volume. This change will 

 necessarily create a considerable increase of expenditure, but as 

 it will be incurred to meet the generally expressed wish of the 

 Society, the Directors hope that it will be regarded as a legiti- 

 mate application of the funds. 



With reference to the more immediate matter of a prelimi- 

 nary notice, viz., the position and progress of the Society in its 

 various departments during the two last years, the Directors are 

 gratified at being able to report satisfactorily. 



MEMBERSHIP. 



Notwithstanding ihe rapid increase in the numbers of the 



