330 PROCEEDINGS OF THE 



to the Society by my valued friend and predecessor, in addition 

 to numerous other works from the same hberal and spirited 

 donor, may be especially noticed, as being a periodical of 

 great practical utility, and also one of rare occuri'ence in so 

 complete a state. 



" With regard to our Collection of Insects, it is with unusual 

 satisfaction I announce that, from the prosperous state of our 

 finances, as you have heard from the Report of our worthy 

 Treasurer, we shall be enabled to command the services of a 

 paid assistant to those gentlemen who have so kindly and so 

 liberally undertaken gratuitously to superintend its arrange- 

 ment ; and as we are now in possession of several excellent 

 cabinets, I hope, before the recurrence of another anniversary, 

 the entire collection will be so far arranged as to be available 

 to the student ; for I speak advisedly when I add, that several 

 individuals have hitherto declined joining our Society, and one 

 has actually tendered his resignation, in consequence of our 

 collection, extensive though it is, remaining in an unarranged 

 condition. I need not, therefore, impress upon our valuable 

 Curators the boon they will confer upon the Society, by 

 expediting as much as in their power the labours they have so 

 handsomely undertaken to perform ; though, at the same time, 

 knowing the various difficulties they have to encounter, we 

 cannot expect their progress will be very rapid, from the very 

 limited time they can afford to devote to the subject; at all 

 events, I feel that the thanks of the Society are justly due to 

 them for the exertions they have aheady made in furtherance 

 of the task voluntarily imposed upon themselves ; and let us 

 hope that they will merit a reiteration of the same, from their 

 increased exertions on our behalf during the present year. 



" The design and objects of this Society have already been 

 repeatedly alluded to by my predecessors ; nevertheless, I 

 cannot avoid reverting to the fact, that one of its immediate, 

 and, as it appears to me, most momentous objects, is i\\e publi- 

 cation of the labours of its members ; and I am, therefore, 

 happy to announce that the Fourth Part of our Transactions 

 is now upon the table ready for distribution ; and I feel assured 

 that several of the papers will reflect great credit upon the 

 writers, from their practical utiliti/, and tend considerably to 

 advance the views contemplated by the Society. 



*' Amongst the latter, the Prize Essays established by the 



