374 TRANSACTIONS, NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY OF GLASGOW. 



while it should be encouraged in the young, we cannot expect 

 to find in any great degree. 



My third point is the faculty of imagination. No scientific 

 work of any value has been done in the past without some 

 spark of imagination to kindle facts into the light of inven- 

 tion and discovery. 



My fourth point is the artistic sense. I think that naturalists 

 are too aj^t to ignore this, and not to appreciate to the full 

 the artistic beauty of the landscape and the glorious loveliness 

 of colour there is in an April wood, a July meadow, or a 

 September wayside. 



My last point is the feeling of worship. This is a matter 

 on which I speak with difficulty, but you will understand what 

 I mean, for there is something in Nature which appeals to the 

 highest instincts in all of us. 



Lord Kelvin then spoke as follows : — I would like to express 

 my gratitude for several benefactions, and the first of them is 

 when Mr. Somerville took me by sm'prise and quite unawares 

 in suggesting to me that I might become a member of the 

 Natural History Society of Glasgow. I feel myself quite un- 

 worthy to aspire to such a privilege and honour. Physical 

 science and physical experiment lie so far from the work of 

 " life," which is the subject of natural history, that I feel quite 

 unable to contribute to the proceedings, or to join in the work 

 of the Society in any effective way. I can only say I am very 

 glad that Mr. Somerville did ask m© to become a member, 

 and that he succeeded in convincing me tliat my scruples 

 might be overcome. It has been a great pleasure to m© all 

 these years to know that I was a member of the Natural History 

 Society, and if I was not contributing to the work I was at 

 least in hearty sympathy with it. I wish to thank your Chair- 

 man also, in the name of all present, for the trouble h© has 

 taken in giving us all such a pleasant evening, and I have to 

 thank him for inviting me to be present, and giving me the 

 great pleasure of meeting you all this evening. 



Dr. James F. Gemmill, M.A., was the next speaker. He said 

 — It is a great honoiu" that I should be asked to join the 

 representatives of other societies in congratulating the Natural 

 History Society of Glasgow on the attainment of its Jubilee. 



