1 30 PEOCEEDINGS OF THE 



And now, Gentlemen, that the term of my office has arrived, it 

 is a matter of gj'eat satisfaction to me that, in quitting the Chair, 

 I leaTe the Society in a state of great efficiency and prosperity. 

 Never, I think, have our Meetings been more numerously 

 attended, the exhibitions more interesting, or the papers more 

 valuable. If we contrast our position with what it was five 

 years ago, we shall find that, while some other Societies have 

 fallen back, we have, on tlie contrary, made steady and material 

 progress. Every year has shown a substantial addition to our 

 numbers. This was the case even last year, when we had to 

 deplore a number of losses by death, not only above the average 

 in number, but, as you have heard, inflicting a loss on the Society 

 much severer tlian the mere number would indicate. Slill there 

 is a steady and considerable increase. Our annual income, as 

 contrasted with five years ago, shows an increase of over ^6300, 

 a verv coiisiderable addition in proportion to the whole ; we are 

 Bpending aGlOO a year more on our Library, ^£100 a year mere 

 on our Publications, and yet we have invested some ^'400 

 annually. Of course this satisfactory progress is mainly due 

 to the exertions of our Fellows, and especially of our Officers, 

 but I may not the less congratulate myself that the Society has 

 never, perhaps, flourished more than during the last five years. 



On previous Anniversaries, Gentlemen, I have asked your 

 attention mainly to circumstances connected with the work of 

 the Society, and the principal events which during the year have 

 taken place in reference to Biological Science. On the present 

 occasion, as you are aware, it has been decided to take a difi'ereut 

 course. Ton will remember that I deferred at the last meeting 

 the paper which I had hoped to read, in order that we might 

 not lose the advantage of hearing Mr. Romanes's communication, 

 " Physiological Selection ; an Additional Suggestion ou the 

 Origin of Species," which, as he was just leaving England, he 

 would have had no other opportunity of delivering. It was in 

 consequence arranged that I should lay it before you on the 

 present occasion. 



The President then delivered his Address, which will appear in 

 the Journal. 



It is not usual, I am aware, to discuss a Presidential 

 Address, and under ordinary circumstances this is no doubt 

 a good rule. But I hope to-day may be an exception. It 

 would be very interesting to me, and I think to many of you, to 

 hear the views of some of the Botanists present on the suggestions 

 which I have ventured to make, and other illustrations which 

 will doubtless have occurred to them. 



Before I sib down, however, on this the last occasion on which 

 I shall have the honour of addressing you as your President, 

 allow me to thank you. Gentlemen, for the kindness, the courtesy, 

 and the support which I have received from every one of you 

 during my term of office, and especially the Council and 



