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generally satisfactory state of its affairs ; still more, however, 

 upon the brilliant prospects which open before it, if their 

 reasonable exj^ectations be realized ; for, so large a ratio does 

 the bequest of our distinguished Patron bear to the funds 

 upon the basis of which the Society has prospered the past 

 year, that it evidently must have a j^rominent and pennanent 

 effect upon the workings of our Institution, not simply in the 

 expanding of the appliances now in force, but even, perhaps, 

 in considerable changes in its modes of administration. With 

 tliis thought uppei-most in our minds and inspiring our action, 

 we may ^e penuitted to express our most confident hope 

 and declare our resolute detennination that this Society shall 

 hereafter act even a more prominent part than in the past, 

 in the development of the Natural Sciences in America. 



