xl PROCEEDINGS OF THE 



whose publications are received in exchange has considerably in- 

 creased during the year, and some societies to whom your Secretary 

 applied for an exchange in 1875, have now, after the lapse of three 

 years, acknowledged the application by forwarding their proceedings 

 and requesting exchange, a proof that your ' Transactions ' are be- 

 coming widely known and appreciated. 



During the year twenty volumes, principally consisting of the 

 proceedings of societies received in exchange, have been bound, 

 and there are now nearly 200 volumes in the library, showing an 

 average accession, since the foundation of the Society, of fifty 

 volumes a year. The arrangements which have been made, by 

 which books may be exchanged between the hours of 3 and 4, and 

 7 and 9 p.m., any week-day, have already resulted in an increase in 

 the number borrowed. The books are under the charge of the 

 assistant-librarian of the Public Library, and a book-case has been 

 provided for them by the Public Library Committee. Members 

 who only visit the Library on the evening of the Society's meetings 

 should exchange their books before the commencement of the meet- 

 ings, as they can no longer be exchanged in the room in which the 

 meetings are held. 



To the microscopic object- cabinet, which will hold about 500 

 slides, the only donation as yet received consists of five slides from 

 Lieut. Croft, F.L.S., to whom the thanks of the Society are also 

 due for several donations to the library. 



The financial condition of the Society is most satisfactory. With 

 a greater expenditure than in any previous year, principally owing 

 to the number and length of the papers communicated necessitating 

 a considei^able increase in the cost of printing the ' Transactions,' 

 there is a balance of about £ 1 9 in favour of the Society ; in addi- 

 tion to which two years' dividend on the Consols purchased in 

 March, 1877, is due. In the purchase of Consols £100 were then 

 expended, and £10 have since been placed on deposit at the London 

 and County Bank, representing together the entire amount received 

 for life compositions. 



The Council have to announce the expiration of the term of 

 office of your President, Dr. Brett. Since his election to the office 

 Dr. Brett has presided at every evening meeting and has attended 

 every meeting in the field. With an unusually extensive pro- 

 fessional connexion, and other calls upon his time, he has never 

 allowed any engagement to interfere with his attention to the 

 afi'airs of the Society, the welfare of which he has been largely 

 instrumental in promoting. The Council desire to express to him 

 their thanks for the valuable services he has rendered to the 

 Society. 



The Council have also to express their thanks to the Committee 

 of the Watford Public Library for the continuance of the accom- 

 modation hitherto afforded to the Society. 



