.successfully for any length of time. The assistance of mauy of the ablest 

 men in the West of Scotland has only to be courteously invited to be readily 

 obtained. 



An Association in connection with the Society for the practier.l study of 

 Art has been recently formed under very favourable auspices. 



One of the most interesting events of the Session has been the Conversa- 

 zione, which was held on the Anniversary of Watt's Birth-day. It wa^ 

 happily due to the cordial co-operation of nearly every individual member 

 %\mt the Society was enabled, on that occasion, to present a new and must 

 refined cnjuunent to the community. 



Arrangc-nientB have been completed for a Botlvcal Excursion to be made 

 by the S<Kuety on an e^r^ day in June ; and, by the friendly courtesy of the 

 (ilasgow CTeok)gical Sociel]^ the Summer Excursions of that bwly for the i>re- 

 sent season have beea thrown open to our members. 



The Committee attach some consequence to the Examination of the Natural 

 History and Geology of the District t«i which the Society has resolved to ad- 

 dress itself. It is an imdertaking involving a good deal of labour, and perhajKs 

 a considerable length of time, but one full of interest, and siu-e to exercise, in 

 many forms, an im{x>rtant influence on the future standing of the Society. 



The Society is indebted to the kind favor of John Poyntcr, Esq., for tin- 

 donation of a relic of Watt of great value, namely, a Balance which at oHf 

 time belonged to the illustrious Engineer, and which sen'ed as a token of 

 friendship to be presented by him to an acquaintance of kindred ta.stes. 

 (Jratefiil acknowledgments are also due to .John Napier, Esq., for the <'ift 

 of a very interesting Photograph of the Engine of tlie " Comet" steamer. 



A jwrtion of the funds has been applied during the past session in the 

 purchase of the Journals of some of the Metropolitan Societies, wich a view to 

 their being made available in the i>reparation of occasional reports to the So- 

 ciety, and for the satisfaction of meml>er8 interested in the jtrogress of special 

 great departments of knowledge. 



Three Honorary Members have been elected by the Society during the 

 Session, namely, Archibald Geikie, Esq., F.R.S.E., F.G.S., a distinguished 

 xavaiit to whom we all feel deeply indebted ; John Shaw, Esq., an able younti- 

 naturalist, who has made some valuable researches, more eajteeially in Cryp- 

 togamic Botany ; and Stephen Williamson, Esq., who was one of the earliest, 

 and a very extensive, contributor to oiir Conversazione, and whose attainments 

 in Numismatical learning we have lately had an opportunity of appreciatinjr. 



