BOSTON SOCIETY OF NATURAL HISTORY. 49 



The President, Dr. Warren, expressed the gratification felt by him at the honor con- 

 ferred in his election, and at the kind welcome given him. 



An address by Dr. Augustus A. Gould, followed, and was principally upon the life, 

 character and labors of the late President, Amos Binney. He closed by congratulating 

 tlie Society upon tiie prospect that the next annual meeting would be held in a new edi- 

 fice, more suitable for its purposes. 



From the Treasurer's report for the year it was shown that the wlaole receipts on gen- 

 eral account had been f 499.22, and the expenditures $499.26, leaving a balance due the 

 Treasurer of four cents. The Courtis fund account exhibited receipts including balance 

 of previous year, $555.51, and expenditures $358.26, showing a balance on hand of 

 $197.25. 



There was a special meeting, later in Maj^, at the house of the President, to take fur- 

 ther measures relative to the proposed new building. It would seem from the action 

 taken that the purchase had not been consummated, probably awaiting the subscription of 

 a sufficient amount to warrant it, as votes were passed directing the Treasurer to collect the 

 moneys already subscribed for tlie purpose ; that the Building Committee be requested to 

 continue their efforts to increase the subscription ; and that they be authorized to conclude 

 the purchase of the Medical College. 



From the subsequent records of the year there is little or nothing to be learned of fur- 

 ther action relative to the acquisition of the building it was proposed to purchase ; yet be- 

 fore its close it had come into the possession of the Society, and such alterations had been 

 made as were necessary to adapt it for the use of the museum and library. 



1848. On the fifth of January, 1848, the Society met in the new building, and a 

 large number of members were present. The President congratulated the Society on the 

 agreeable circumstances under which the first meeting of the year was held ; sjDoke of the 

 difficulties under which it had laljored from restricted accommodations and narrow means ; 

 and ended with expressing the hope, that with increased means of usefulness, it would not 

 permit the achievements of its maturity to contrast unfavorably with those of its youth. 



The movement inaugurated by the late President to raise an amount of money by an 

 ajipeal to the public sufficient to enable the Society to possess a building of its own, had 

 been quite successful, the sum of $28,660 having been contributed for the purpose by 

 eighty-six individuals. The following resolutions were introduced by Dr. Storer at this 

 meeting : — 



"Mesolved, That the heartfelt thanks of this Society be presented to those gentlemen 

 whose munificence has enabled us to call this temple our own. 



"Resolved, That we will endeavor to prove our sense of obligation by a renewed de- 

 votion to the cause of science. 



"Resolved, That we deeply feel the kindness and liberality of George M. Dexter and 

 Edward C. Cabot, Esqs., in advising and aiding in the architectural arrangements of our 

 building ; and most especially do we feel indebted to N. B. Shurtleff', M.D., for the skill 

 he Tias exhibited in adapting, and the zeal and fidelity with which he has for months su- 

 perintended the advancing work." 



At the next meeting, held January 19th, a vote was passed thanking Dr. Storer, Dr. 

 Cabot and their associates for the earnestness and perseverance shown by them in raising 



