PREFACE. 



We trust that the Third Number of our Transactions will be ac- 

 cepted as a proof that our Scientific Society is holding its ground 

 steadily, and doing its work well. 



Our list of members is always full, and the attendance at the 

 meetings is most satisfactory. The amount of practical work 

 done by the members is stiU a weak point ; but signs of improve- 

 ment in this respect are not wanting, and good results are confi- 

 dently expected from the new rule enforcing attendance at the 

 Excursions. We may also hope hereafter to improve our organi- 

 sation still further by carefully noting the results obtained by the 

 Scientific Societies of other schools. An amount of experience 

 is being accumulated which cannot fail to be of great value to 

 us all. 



The Society has sufi"ered a great loss in the departure of its 

 late President, Mr Barrington Ward, who spared no pains to make 

 it efficient in every respect ; and the Editors of the Transactions 

 have especial reason to regret the absence of his assistance in pre- 

 paring this number for the press. The Society, however, is now so 

 firmly established, that we are enabled to look forward to our future 

 hopefully, in the belief that the members will regard our loss as 

 an incentive to increased energy and activity in promoting the 

 interests of the Society, We continue to meet with extreme kind- 

 ness from our neighbours and friends, to all of whom we ofi'er our 

 heartiest thanks. 



Especially must we thank those who subscribed the funds to 

 present us with the Bernard Collection of Fossils. 



