which has for some time been adopted, of arranging the principal part of 

 the programme in courses of lectures by professional men upon special 

 subjects, we must now rely, for the element of variety, more than for- 

 merly upon the contributions thus obligingly oflfered by gentlemen of 

 our own number. 



In the course of the winter the Honorary Membership of the Society 

 has been accepted by Professor Cosmo limes, of Edinburgh, one of the 

 most distinguished charter-scholars in Scotland, to wliom we were at 

 the opening of the session laid under peculiar obligations ; and by our 

 fellow-townsman, Mr Robert Morton, of St. Peter's College, Cambridge, 

 who lately gained the eminent honor of being declared Senior Wrangler 

 of the year in that university. 



One of the most interesting events in the history of the Society has 

 been the successful formation during the past session of a large class for 

 the practical study of Chemistry. It was opened on the 9tli December, 

 and closed on the 28th ultimo, and was conducted by Dr Machattie, 

 of Glasgow — the course of instruction embracing twenty lectures on 

 Elementary Chemistry, and an equal number of practicjvl lessons in 

 Qualitative Analysis. The number of students wa.s 54, the total outlay 

 about £100, and the cost to the individual student £1 ISs. The 

 arrangements were superintended by a committee of twelve, of whom 

 eight were elected by the students ; and, at the close, the thanks of the 

 class were conveyed to Dr Machattie, the accomplished and popidar 

 teacher, in befittingly complimentary and respectful tenns, by Dr 

 Arciiibald Mout^-ouicrie, the Chairman of the Managing Committee. 

 In all the business of the laboratory, Mr T. L. Patterson, from the 

 outset, kindly lent the most valuable aid. 



Any attempt to maintain in Greenock a course of scientific teaching 

 from year to year, or even in occasional ye.ars, must require accessible 

 apartments adapted for the purpose, and a good stock of at least certain 

 kinds of apparatus. On the present occasion, by the favor of the 

 Directors of the Academy, the Chemistry Class was admirably accom- 

 modated with rooms ; and a considerable quantity of articles suitable 

 for a class of the same description has been left in the hands of the 

 Committee, of which some similar use may hereafter again be made. 

 But to follow up, for examjde, the recent study of Qualitative, by a 

 course of instruction in Quantitative analysis would involve an amount 

 of outlay which could not be met by the fees to be derived from any 

 single class. And yet, it would be of essential advantage to the town 

 if a society like ours were furnished with tlie necessary means to under- 

 take such a service. 



