11 



branch of work followed up by the • Society. For the facilities 

 enjoyed at this excursion the special thanks of the Society are 

 due, first, to Mr Grothe, for having granted for the day the use 

 of the steamer " Excelsior" ; and next, to Dr M'Intosh, of Murthly, 

 a very distinguished naturalist, for his valuable personal assistance, 

 and for the use of his dredges and other apparatus. Your Council 

 are of opinion that not the least valuable result of this expedition 

 was the bringing of the Society and Dr M'Intosh together ; and 

 it will be greatly for the interests of the Society to maintain and 

 develope this connection so agreeably begun, and to avail our- 

 selves as much as possible of the kind assistance which the 

 Doctor has expressed his willingness to afford at all times in his 

 power. 



At all the other excursions the attendance was very small, and 

 it comes to be matter for consideration whether it would not be 

 an improvement to have fewer excursions during the season. 

 Your Council think it would be much better to have two or three 

 thoroughly well organized excursions, than to have a large 

 number where it is impossible to bestow the time necessary for 

 their proper organization. 



During the winter a short course of popular Science Lectures, 

 by eminent scientists, arranged for by your previous Council, was 

 given in the Kinnaird Hall. They were as follows : — 



1876. 

 On 13th Nov.— By R. A. PiiocTOR, F.R.A.S., on 



Tlic Sun. 

 On 14th Dec— By Prof. A. Geikie, LL.D., F.R.S., &c., on 



Geological History of Forfarshire. 

 1877. 

 On 22d Jan.— By W. Pengellt, F.R.S., F.G.S., on 



Kent's Cavern Explorations. 

 On 20th Feb.— By Prof. H. A. Njcholson, M.D., F.R.S.E., &c., on 

 Geology and Evolution. 



These Lectures were an experiment, and were offered to the 

 public at charges for admission of 2s., Is., and 6d. — tickets for the 

 course being offered at a slight reduction, viz. : — 6s. and 3s, Gd. 

 It cannot be reported that they have been altogether a success if 

 we judge from the attendance point of view. At the first 

 lecture the attendance might be considered fair ; but instead of 



