1871.] Proceedings of the Asiatic Society. 33 
Paris :—Geographical Society. 
— :—Asiatic Society. 
St. Petersburgh :—Imperial Academy of Science. 
Vienna :—Imperial Academy of Science. 
—— :—Anthropological Society. 
—— :—Zoological and Botanical Society. 
— :—Imperial Royal Geological Institute. 
Washington :—Smithsonian Institution. 
It was proposed by D. Waldie, Esq., and seconded by H. H. 
Locke, Esq., that the report be adopted.—Carried. 
The President requested Mr. H. H. Locke, and Mr. J. Wood- 
Mason to act as Scrutineers. 
During the time that the balloting lists for the election of officers 
and members of Council of the Society were examined, the Presi- 
dent addressed the meeting. 
PRESIDENT’S ADDRESS. 
GeENTLEMEN,—It will be seen from the report of the Council that 
the administration of our finances during the past year has been 
effected with care, and has been such as to exhibit very satisfactory 
results. For this, in great measure, we have to thank our excel- 
lent Financial Secretary, Colonel Hyde. The diminution of income, 
however, which appears to be imminent as a consequence of an 
apparently growing loss of members, will seriously cripple the So- 
ciety, unless the current can be turned and our numbers be speedi- 
ly augmented by new accessions. Unfortunately, the position in 
which the Society has for some time been, and still is, kept by 
reason of the non-completion of the New Museum building, is one 
of grievous embarrassment and disadvantage. The greater part of 
our house space is taken up by the Museum Trustees . under statu- 
table powers for the purpose of displaying the collections to the 
public. Our valuable library is rendered practically useless, for 
want of standing ground whereon to range the cases. And we 
have no room in which we can properly set out the current literary 
