6 JOURNAL OF THE 



work of the Society during the past four years of its existence : 



1883-'84 '84-'85 '80-86 '86-37 Totals 



Meetings, 6 5 8 9 28 



Public Lectures, — 4 — 3 7 



Papers presented 67 43 60 53 223 



Papers published 98 100 148 150* 500 



The above table shows a decrease in the number of papers 

 presented; but there has been a decided improvement in the 

 length and value of the papers, that has more than counter- 

 balanced the falling off in number. The Journal for 1886 

 and 1887, which is to be published in two parts, will proba- 

 bly contain more papers than is indicated above. A detailed 

 statement would show more clearly the growth of the Society; 

 but this can not be given here. 



But while the Society is making real advancement it is 

 doing so under disadvantages. Its membership has not 

 been increased as was hoped it would. The students and 

 graduates of the University and odier institutions have not 

 associated themselves with it, nor have taken part in its work 

 as it was expected they might, and as it is hoped they will do 

 in the future. Nor has the Society received the liberal finan- 

 cial support which it needs to increase the publication of its 

 Journals. The Society needs in every way a more generous 

 support; and for this it must appeal to its members and all 

 others interested in scientific work in the State. 



Among the present and pressing needs of the Society I 

 may mention the following : 



(i) The hearty co-operation of a much larger number of 

 persons in the State engaged in, or interested in, scientific 

 work. All such should become members of the Society and 

 co-operate with it in its work. 



(2) A more liberal financial support. During the past 

 year for want of funds the Society was unable to publish 

 several papers presented for publication in the Journal. 

 Among the members of other Societies are often to be found 

 men of wealth and liberality who contribute largely to the 

 financial support of the Societies to which they belong, and 

 have won the title of "patrons' of the Society A few mem- 

 bers of the Mitchell Society have contributed liberally to its 



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*Jfumloer of pages^egtjmated— not yet published. 



