The Art Association, wliich was set on foot last year by Mr T. E. Lament, 

 for the practical study of the Life Model, is in active oi>eration, and has been 

 much enjoyed by those who are members of it. For the last two months, it 

 has been mainly conducted by Mr John Stewart. 



The investigation of the Natural History of the District has made some 

 progress since the last annual meeting. The Herbarium of the Society, com- 

 posed of the prize collection of Mr Gregorson, with additions from that of Mr 

 Thomson, contains 322 species of Indigenous Plants. The Catalogue of these, 

 which has just been circulated among the members, is intended as a step 

 towards the publication, at as early a date as jwssible, of a complete Flora 

 of our own District. The Committee have further lately advertised two prizes 

 for the best Collections of Indigenous Marine Algae. 



Some important donations hare been made to the proposed Museum of the 

 Society, and claim our special thanks. The contributors have been the 

 Grourock Ropework Co. , Messrs John Poynter & Son, the Clyde Pottery Co. , 

 the Gourock Copper Mining Co., Messrs C. Macintosh & Co., Joseph Town- 

 send, and John and James White, the Hurlet and Campsie Alum Co., Messrs 

 Matthew Brown, Robert Mackenzie, John Kerr, Thomas M'Millan, and John 

 Brymner. The Committee, at the same time, feel that an undertaking of this 

 description will involve a greater expenditure of money than can be met from the 

 ordinary funds of the Society. It is, however, no impracticable scheme which 

 is implied in the fundamental idea of a Local Museimi, but one which is likely 

 to be attempted before long in every considerable place, namely, a Collection 

 to illustrate the Industry, the Natural History, and the Antiquities of the 

 town and its neighbourhood. 



During the session two gentlemen have been elected as Honorary Members 

 of the Society : — Charles GreWUe Williams, Esq. , F. R. S. , && , who did us 

 the favor to deliver the opening lecture, and whose researches on the products 

 of the destructive distiUatiou of Coal have long gained for him a position 

 among the greatest Chemists of the day ; and Richard Chalmers, Esq. , now 

 of Glasgow, whose exertions on behalf of the Society throughout the first and 

 second sessions, and the leading part which he took in all its proceedings, 

 whether of a public or private character, will always deserve our respectful 

 remembrance. 



The second Conversazione of the Society, which was held on the anniver- 

 sary of James Watt's birth, was attended with even a greater degree of 

 interest and success than the previous one ; and it will not be denied that 

 the tendency of such assemblies is to give a strong impulse to Knowledge 

 and Taste in the community. Nothing could exceed the courtesy and libe- 

 rality with which the aj^plications made by the Committee for contributions 

 and advice were met, in every instance, both at home and in Glasgow and 

 other towns. 



