17 



for a course of lectures to be delivered in the Kimiaird Hall as 

 follows : — 



1879. 

 OnlStliFeb.— By Professor W. C. Williamson, F.R.S., &c., Owen's College, 



Manchester, on The Aye of Salt. 

 On 21st Feb. — By Professor Alleyne Nicholson, M.D., D.Sc, F.R.S.E., &c., on 



77te Relations between Birds and Reptiles. 

 On 2Gth Feb.— James Geikie, LL.D., F-.R.S., &c., H.M. Geological Survey, on 



The Antiquity of Man in Europe. 

 On 7tli Mar.— W. B. Carpenter, M.D., LL.D., F.E.S., &c., London, on 



Animal Life of the Deep Sea. 



The prices of admission to the public were 2s., Is., and 6d. for a 

 single lecture, with the option of buying a ticket for the course at 5s., 

 2s. 6d., and Is. Special privileges were given to members of the 

 Society. Knowing from former experience the apathy with which such 

 lectures were regarded by the public, it was expected from the beginning 

 that to meet the necessarily heavy expenses of these lectures the pro- 

 ceeds would require to be supplemented by a considerable sum from 

 our funds. The result, however, has proved far better than was antici- 

 pated, and is in reality, when everything is crnsidered, very encouraging. 

 The attendance throughout was indeed very good, when compared with 

 a former venture, and it is to be hoped that in future the Society may 

 be looked to to provide a course of public popular Science lectures every 

 year. 



Of course, as the Session just closed included only winter months, 

 there were no Excursions. 



The property of the Society, in the shape of ]\luseum specimens and 

 books, has been constantly accumulating, and we are much indebted to 

 various gentlemen, both outside and inside the Society, for valuable 

 donations. Among the additions to the library your Council would 

 draw attention to a Avork which will be found of great value to all 

 interested in Botany, namely, " Sowerby's English Botany," a book 

 consisting of 11 volumes, and containing a life-sized coloured portrait 

 and description of every British plant. By its means Students will be 

 enabled to compare and name their finds when in doubt. A consider- 

 able sum has this Session been expended on the preservation of speci- 

 mens for the Museum, and the purchase of cases and books ; and the' 

 coUectioD, especially as regards local birds, is rapidly becoming a very 

 valuable one. The operations in this department, however, are again 

 thrown considerably backward. It is well known that another Fine 



