PROCEEDINGS OF THE SOCIETY. 157 
was also noticeable in the amount and character of the material 
brought forward. 
Fzxcursions.—18 Excursions took place on Saturdays between 
25th February and 14th October, 8 of these being arranged 
jointly with other Societies, while 8 Excursions were also made 
on Tuesday evenings to places in the neighbourhood of the 
city. The Council desire to acknowledge the important services 
rendered by the Summer Committee in arranging an unusually 
attractive programme of Excursions, and obtaining access to 
various private estates not previously visited by the Society. It 
is gratifying to report that the efforts of the Committee have 
been appreciated by the Society, and have resulted in a consider- 
able improvement in the average attendance at the Excursions. 
Council.—A vacancy in the Council, as elected last October, 
was filled up by the appointment of Mr. J. Bruce Hunter, while 
Mr. W. A. Dobie was appointed in room of the late Mr. D. Corse 
Glen. 
Ten meetings of Council have been held since the date of last 
report. 
Inbrary.—In consequence of the Agreement recently entered 
into with the Committee of the Mitchell Library for transferring 
to that institution the Society’s collection of Foreign Scientific 
Transactions and Journals, an entire rearrangement of the Library 
was rendered necessary. This has now been carried out by the 
Librarian, Mr. James Mitchell, to whom the Society is much 
indebted for his laborious efforts for the improvement of the 
Library. A new Catalogue is in course of preparation, and this, 
when completed, will supply a much-felt want. The work of the 
Library Committee during the past year has involved a sacrifice 
of much time and labour, and their services call for special 
acknowledgment. Under arrangement with Mr. F. Martin, 
Curator of the Philosophical Scciety’s Rooms, books can now be 
borrowed or returned any day during office hours, and it is hoped 
that this improvement will lead to an increase in the circulation 
of the volumes. Numerous important purchases of works on 
natural history, travels, &c., have recently been made by the 
Committee, and these have been announced in the monthly 
billets, along with other additions made by gift or exchange. 
The thanks of the Society are due to Messrs. Peter Ewing, 
