XVill PROCEEDINGS 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 willingly 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 suburbs, 
societies having these objects are established ; and even in the far 
Orkneys a Natural History Society is actively engaged, under the 
direction of the Rey. 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 Gardens, 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 under the deepest obligations to him, 
whilst his unfailing courtesy and kindness endeared him to every 
one who was brought into connexion with 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, until 
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 
