LINNEAN SOCIEir OF LONDON". 13S 



5. " On the Anatomy of the Perignathic Girdle and of other 

 parts of the Test of Biscoidea cyJindrica'' By Prof. P. M. 

 Duncan, E.E.S., and W. Percy Sladen, Sec. Linn. Soc. 



6. "Monograph of Eecent Brachiopoda. — Part III." By the 

 late Dr. Thos. Davidson, F.R.S., P.L.S. 



7. "List of Birds collected in the Mergui Archipelago." By 

 Prof. John Anderson, P.E.S., P.L.S. 



8. "The Mollusca of the Mergui Archipelago." By Prof. 

 Eduard von Martens. (Communicated by Prof. J. Anderson, 

 r.E.S., F.L.S.) 



9. " Eeport on a Collection of Podophthalmatous Crustacea 

 made in the Mergui Archipelago during the years 18S1 and 

 1882." B>^ Dr. J. G. De Man. (Communicated by Prof. J. 

 Anderson, F.E.S., P.L.S.) 



10. " Eeport on the Vegetation of Diego Garcia." By W. 

 Betting Hemsley, A.L.S. 



11. " Occurrence of Lmnpenus lampetriformis on the North 

 Coast of Scotland, with Notes on its habits, food, and the ground 

 it frequents." By George Sim. (Communicated by Dr. Francis 

 Day, F.L.S.) 



Anniveesiey Address op the Pkesident. 



I do not know that I was ever much more surprised than 

 ■when, one day about five years ago, my excellent friend Prof. 

 Allman called on me and intimated your wish that I should 

 become your President. Of course I was well aware that there 

 were other naturalists with for higher claims — I need only 

 mention, for instance. Sir Joseph Hooker and Mr. Busk, to both of 

 whom the Society is deeply indebted, and who would have more fitly 

 occupied this Chair. We all regret, and no one more than myself, 

 the reason which deprived us of the pleasure of electing them. 



That being impossible, I felt that, however unworthy I might 

 be to follow the distinguished men who have preceded me, I 

 ought not to decline. There is a story of one of the mediaeval 

 Popes, who, though a man of very moderate ability, attained 

 the highest position in the Eoman Catholic Church, much to the 

 astonisluneiit of all his friends. One of them once candidly 

 expressed his surprise, and asked the Pope how he could account 

 for it. " "Well," said the Pope, " I have in life acted on three 

 rules. I have never asked for anything ; I have never refused 

 anything that was offered me ; and in whatever office I have 

 been placed I have endeavoured to do my best." I did not 

 think 1 ought to refuse, and I hope I have done my best. In 

 accepting, I must say I was greatly influenced by the friendship 

 which it is my privilege to enjoy with so many of our Fellows ; 

 by the knowledge that I could rely on your kind assistance, 

 advice, and cooperation, and that you would look leniently on 

 all my shortcomings. 



