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our coustitutiou as a Natural Histoiy Societ)^ is based ; but it 

 must be borne iu miud that the conditions have greatly altered 

 since 1788. AVe cannot ignore the fact that the remarkable deve- 

 lopment, during the past century, of the sciences which we especially 

 cultivate has necessarily been associated with a high degree of 

 specialization : so much so, indeed, that the discussion of the more 

 recondite subjects peculiar to either of the two sciences can ouly 

 be of interest to those who have made them the objects of 

 special study. The proposal to which I have alluded is an attempt 

 to recognize and to meet the new order of things. At the same 

 time it has not been overlooked that there are many biological 

 problems which Botanists and Zoologists can discuss more profitably 

 in concert than they could separately : a recent meeting abundantly 

 illustrates this. It is intended to make the experiment in the 

 ensuing session, ear-marking certain meetings as especially botanical 

 or zoological. By our next Anniversary Meeting it will have 

 become apparent whether or not the experiment has been so suc- 

 cessful as to justify its repetition. It can, of course, only be 

 successful if those who are in favour of it will give the Council 

 their hearty co-operation. 



Then there is the question as to whether or not the meetings of 

 the Society shall continue to be held at eight o'clock in the evening. 

 One notable feature of recent social evolution has been the gradual 

 postponement of the dinner-hour from the middle of the day to 

 late in the evening, a change which has not been Avithout its effect 

 upon the learned Societies. The Eoyal Society Avas the first to 

 respond to it by meeting in the afternoon, and several other 

 Societies have followed suit. This being so, it is worth raising 

 the question with regard to our own Society. The Council do not 

 feel justified, as at present advised, in formulating any proposal ; 

 but should the mention of it elicit an expression of opinion that a 

 change of hour would meet the convenience of any considerable 

 number of Fellows, it would become necessary for the Council to 

 take steps in the matter. 



But it is time to turn from the exigencies of the present, for the 

 circumstances under which we meet today are especially suggestive 

 of both retrospect and prospect. Standing, as we do, upon the 

 threshold of a new century, it is but natural that our thoughts 

 should travel through the annals of the Society during the century 

 that is past and gone, back to its foundation, and forward to its 

 career in the century which is but beginning. 



It is not my intention to rehearse the history of the Society, for 

 that has been already so well done by two of my predecessors iu 

 this Chair : by Thomas Bell, in his address at the Anniversary of 

 1857, the first Anniversary celebrated in Burlington House ; and 

 more recently by Mr. Carruthers on the occasion of the Centenary 

 in 1888. Moreover, the history of the Liunean Collections has 

 been carefully written by our Senior Secretary. What I would 

 endeavour to do is, if possible, to suijplement these records of 



