13 



of tlic increase in membership ; and, in support of this, they would 

 simply point to the fact that at the first ordinary meeting of the 

 Society which was held after the Exhibition there were brought 

 forward no fewer than twenty-six candidates for membership. 



At the very commencement of the session it was resolved to 

 form Sections, "in order," in the words of the resolution, " to 

 secure a more exhaustive and systematic treatment of the various 

 branches of Natural Science," About the same time it was 

 resolved to add to the catalogue of the Society's studies Physics 

 and Chemistry, and also Anthropology. It was left to the 

 Council to carry out the details of the work which these resolu- 

 tions involved ; bvit, owing to the large amount of other work 

 that had to be undertaken, it was not until the winter session 

 was well over that they were able to take up this matter. The 

 scheme they proposed was laid before a meeting of the Society 

 on the 20th April, and approved of. This scheme provided that 

 three Sections should be formed, viz. : — 



1st. Physics and Chemistry. 

 2d. Geology. 

 3d. Biology. 



Steps were at once taken to have these Sections properly formed, 

 and on the 27th April they were actually in existence. 



The main object in forming these Sections was to bring 

 together those members who possessed a somewhat advanced 

 knowledge of the various branches ; to afford them opportunities 

 for intercommunication, which general meetings of the Society 

 are not calculated to give ; and that they might co-operate and 

 help each other in the performance of real work. These Sections 

 must get time to become consolidated before they can be expected 

 to do much work of real value ; but it is hoped that the session 

 now begun will see them set to work in earnest. 



On the 20th April Mr Wm. Morrison, Secretary, resigned his 

 office. The resignation was considered at an adjourned meeting 

 held on 4th May, and was accepted ; and it was unanimously 

 resolved to convey to him the thanks of the Society for his past 

 services. 



