XVIU PKOCEEDINGS OF THE 



The well-known Literary and Philosophical Society of the last- 

 named city still keeps up its character, and a Microscopical Society 

 in the same place is also in active operation. The details of the 

 working of the society, especially on the products of the deep- 

 sea soundings, are highly interesting, and but from a desire not to 

 detain you too long, I should have wilKngly devoted a few minutes 

 to their enumeration. 



At Alton in Hampshire, at Bedford, at Wakefield, and many 

 other places distant from the Metropolis, as well as in the subm'bs, 

 societies having these objects are established ; and even in the far 

 Orkneys a Natural History Society is actively engaged, under the 

 direction of the Eev. Mr. Stobbs, in forming a complete collection 

 of local objects of natural history. If I glance at the vast im- 

 provements in Kew Gardens and the increased number of visitors 

 there, as well as at the Zoological G-ardens, I have laid before you 

 sufficient proof of a vast advance in the popular recognition of 

 Natural History as a rational source of enjoyment, 



I return now, Gentlemen, to our more immediate interests. It 

 had long been felt that considerable advantage might be anticipated 

 from the appointment of a second secretary instead of the under- 

 secretary recognized by the bye-laws, and that one of the two 

 secretaries should be considered as representing the Zoological 

 and the other the Botanical element in conducting the business of 

 the Society. As this arrangement would require an alteration in 

 the bye-laws, and as the whole of our code was thought to demand 

 a revision, for which we were not at the time prepared, Mr. Busk 

 kindly consented to act as the Zoological Secretary, under the title 

 of under-secretary, until the retirement of Mr. Bennett from an 

 office which he held for twenty years, with a zeal and constancy and 

 talent which laid the Society uuder the deepest obligations to him, 

 whilst his unfailing courtesy and kindness endeared him to every 

 one who was brought into connexion vsdth him. I hope I shall be 

 pardoned a momentary digression, whilst I congratulate the Society 

 and our friend himself upon his comparative restoration to health, 

 and upon his being able once more to cheer us by his occasional 

 presence amongst us, and in particular by his valuable assistance 

 in the Council. 



At this time Mr. Busk being elected Secretary, Mr. Currey 

 allowed us the advantage of his services under the old title, imtil 

 that alteration of the bye-laws, which you have recently confirmed, 

 enables you this day to elect him as joint Secretary with Mr. Busk. 

 It is not necessary for me to enter into any detail on the subject 



