Preface. ix 



detailed report of the progress made ia each department, and it 

 will be seen from this document (which we have inserted), how 

 much has been done, in a short time, towards the formation of 

 the various collections. The Scientific Society's books have 

 been allotted a special place in the College Library (which at 

 present occupies an apartment in common with the Museiim), 

 and a portion of the Museum Fund has been wisely expended 

 in the purchase of valuable works for scientific reference. All 

 these books are at the service of those who desire to study in 

 the Museum. 



The best thanks of the Society are due to Mr Lovell Squire, 

 who came from Cornwall, at an inclement season of the year, 

 to read a paper before our members. Mr Squire's interesting 

 communication will be found in the present volume. Several 

 other scientific gentlemen have promised to give us lectures 

 during the coming winter. 



There have been, as may always be expected in a School 

 Society, many changes amongst our members lately, and som.e 

 of the most valuable of our adherents have gone forth into the 

 busy world, leaving Clifton for ever. It is, however, gratifying 

 to find in many cases that we are not forgotten, but that 

 pleasant recollections of the scientific evenings are cherished by 

 those whose school-days are now numbered among things of 

 the past. Old Cliftonians have sent us again and again kindly 

 wishes for our success, and many a donation from them appears 

 in our Museum, 



This Society may not, perhaps, be destined to achieve much 

 triumph in scientific discovery and observation, nor, from the 

 nature of the case, could it well be expected that those who 

 are, for the most part, mere tyros in science should emulate in 

 their works savants of greater experience and riper years. But 

 if it should serve to awaken a keen interest in the great truths 

 which science has brought to light, and should thereby be the 

 means of turning into paths of profit and pleasure some who, 



