BOSTON SOCIETY OF NATURAL HISTORY. 31 



one of the firmest friends of the Society, ready to assist and co-operate with others in 

 times of need, and on all occasions manifesting a strong interest in its prosperity and 

 usefulness. The following resolutions, offered by the President, were unanimously 

 adopted : 



" Resolved, that in the death of our late valued and honored associate, Simon Elliott 

 Greene, we, members of this Society, feel that we have lost a firm, liberal, and enlight- 

 ened friend. 



" That we cherish fondly in our hearts the memory of his many virtues as a generous 

 friend, an honorable merchant, a perfectly upright and honest man ; and that while 

 we mourn over our loss, we deeply sympathize with those whose bereavement, from their 

 nearer connection with our friend, is still more heavy than ours." 



Mr. Greene, though bearing the same family name, was not connected by ties of 

 relationship with the President. His means were limited, but he manifested his continued 

 interest in the Society by a bequest of five hundred dollars in money, a fine collection of 

 about twelve hundred species of shells, and several works on natural history. 



In April of this year the meetings were resumed in the hall of the Society, and 

 were continued weekly, as through the winter, until the Annual Meeting in May, after 

 which they were held twice a month. 



At the Annual Meeting held May 6, Dr. C. T. Jackson, who presented the Reports 

 of the Curators, after referring to the additions made to the Cabinet during the year, 

 made some pleasant remarks relative to the Society, of which a few lines may be 

 appropriately quoted : " We have now shown to the world that a Society of Natural 

 History can be supported in Boston, and trust that the time is not far distant when 

 the public generally will feel that the establishment of such a Society has contributed 

 not a little to the general weal. Our hall is already crowded with visitors at such 

 times as we throw open the doors for general admission, and there cannot be a doubt 

 respecting the beneficial influence which is exerted by this institution upon the minds 

 of its young visitors. Many a student in science will look back with gratitude to those 

 objects in your collection that first attracted his attention to the delightful walks of 

 Natural History." 



The only change made in the officers of the Society at the election was in Mr. 

 Marshall S. Scudder being chosen Curator of Birds, in place of Dr. Thomas M. Brewer, 

 who I'esigned. 



The Curatorships of Comparative Anatomy and Mammals were united at this time, 

 and Dr. Nathaniel B. Shurtleff', who had held that of the former, was chosen to fill 

 that of the combined departments. Dr. Jeffries Wyman, who had been Curator of 

 Mammals, retired. 



Let us now review briefly the history of the Society during the first ten years 

 of its existence, touching upon some general points not hitherto presented. It will 

 be well to do this at the close of each decade, as thus perhaps a better idea may 

 be conveyed, not only of the progress of the institution during each period in material 

 prosperity, but of the change in thought relative to its proper mission as an educational 

 institution, and the means necessary for the accomplishment of its aims and purposes. 



