successful. Colonel Drummond Hay, acting for the Council, welcomed 

 the Company in the Great Hall, and opened the work of the evening 

 by an address admirably suited to the occasion. Thereafter, Dr W. C. 

 M'Intosh, F.E.S., gave an instructive account of some remarkable 

 " Sponges ;" and the Assembly then dispersed to the various parts of 

 the building to examine the objects of interest brought together for the 

 evening. Among these may be noted a phonograph belonging to Mr 

 Eodger of St Andrews, exhibited and explained by Professor Scott 

 Lang, a large number of Swan's electric lamps, very kindly sent by Mr 

 Swan, and which were hung and lighted with great effect in the Picture 

 Gallery, the usual display of microscopes and microscopic objects for 

 which this Society has always been distinguished, and the Society's now 

 extensive collection of birds of the Tay valley, as well as a fine collection 

 of shells exhibited and described by the Eev. Mr SomerviUe. The 

 Exhibition was re-opened on the afternoon and evening of Saturday, 

 when parties not Members of the Society were admitted at a small charge. 

 With this portion of the Society's work the Council have also to express 

 great satisfaction. These annual gatherings are evidently prized by all 

 Members and Associates, and it may not be too much to say that to 

 them is due a large amount of the popularity which the Society 

 enjoys. 



III. Excursions. 



These were as follows : — 



May 19, - Dredging, - Off the Bell Eock. 



June 28-30, - Botanical, - Clova and Glen Doll. 



July 14, - Dredging, - The Scaup. 



August 7, - Botanical, - Lunan Bay and Red Head. 



„ 27, - Dredging, - Off the Isle of May. 



By means of these Members have an opportunity of increasino' their 

 knowledge in various departments of Natural History. All were well 

 attended, and many interesting specimens were obtained. The Dredwino- 

 Excursions are particularly well attended ; indeed, it would almost seem 

 as if their great popularity would interfere with their scientific value. 

 Good work has, however, been done ; and, doubtless, as these are con- 

 tinued year after year, a store of experience in Dredging in all its details 

 wiU have been acquired, so that even greater results will be achieved. 

 In last year's Eeport your Council drew attention to the serious 

 pecuniary loss incurred by the Popular Lectures given under the 

 auspices of the Society in former years, and recommended their succes- 

 sors to continue arrangements which they were then making with a view 



