48 S. JEFFERSON’S VALEDICTORY ADDRESS. 
and upon “ Mushrooms.” The one upon edible fungi was illus- 
trated by numerous examples of the various species which the 
lecturer brought fom the rural district in which he now fortunately 
finds himself surrounded by so many objects of interest to the 
lovers of nature. His clear account of the lower form of vegeta- 
tion, which he gave us in his earlier paper. will not readily be 
forgotten by those of us who heard it. A paper on “ Color,” by 
Mr. Pocklington, the gentleman who immediately preceded me 
in the office I now quit, was one which evidenced his thorough 
acquaintance with his topic and proved of great interest. Another 
paper which gave evidence of much original work was read by our 
Borough Analyst, Mr. Fairley. It contained some facts which 
have been embodied in a Jong and able article in the Journal of 
the Chemical Society, and which I have heard recognized in pub- 
lic by a very eminent writer and lecturer, as the most important 
addition to Thermo-Chemistry which has appeared for many years. 
On the 23rd of May, a paper (which we hope will bear important 
fruits in the future) was read by Mr. William Nelson, the subject 
being the desirability of our forming local collections. As an 
outcome of that we have already what we hope will be the nucleus 
of a goodly gathering of strictly local examples. One paper on 
“Prehistoric Man” unfortunately has not yet been read, but we 
trust the gentleman who undertook to honor the Society by the 
results of his study of this subject will be able during this session 
to give it. 
Those who were present when Mr. S. Everard Woods read his 
p2per upon the ‘‘ Reasoning Powers of Caterpillars” will remember 
how satisfactorily the subject was treated and will be glad to notice 
that it is published in the “Vatura/ist” for February. 1877. 
Other very valuable papers have been read, but one can scarcely 
be expected to enumerate all. 
The alternate nights for exhibition of specimens and conversation 
have also been a marked improvement. Certain members have 
taken upon themselves, that on definite nights they would bring 
objects upon which the meeting might fall back in the event 
of the ord'nary source falling short. The result has been that 
members have always found the table well supplied with objects of 
interest and one may safely say these conversational meetings have 
been of unflagging interest. 
Our conchological friends have shown splendid series of shells. 
I do not refer to the excellency or brilliancy of the nacreous lustre, 
nor to the size or forms of shells, buz to the goodness of the 
examples as illustrating the various genera and species. One most 
_interesting example was brought before us by Mr. W. E, Claike, 
