16 PROCEEDINGS OF THE SOCIETY. 
The appearance of the Hall was greatly enhanced by some magnificent 
Azaleas, Deutzias, etc., kindly lent by the Right Hon, Lord Carington, and 
arranged by Mr. Miles; as well as by Cinerarias, etc., for the loan of 
which the Society was indebted to Mr. F. Wheeler. The bright hues of 
the flowers gave great brilliancy to the general effect. Many friends sent 
cut flowers in great profusion, and some very pretty bouquets were 
arranged ; none, however, were more effective than that brought by Miss 
M. Vernon, composed almost entirely of Lilies of the Valley: 
Besides the above named objects, we may mention the following :—A 
specimen of the curious Parrot Fish ; some beautiful Corals, lent by Mr. 
Wheeler ; a vessel of young Trout, hatched under the care of Mr. Saunders ; 
specimens of Cotton-pods, from West Africa, in various stages of develop- 
ment; a series of British Reptiles, including the new snake, Coronella 
levis, brought by the Rev. H. Rich, in illustration of his paper; and many 
others, too numerous to mention. 
Among the books on the table may be named Morris’s “ British Birds” 
and “ British Birds’ Eggs,” Wood's “ Tlustrated Natural History,’ Bewick’s 
“British Birds,” a volume of “English Botany,” etc. Miss I. Charsley 
brought a copy of her recently published work ‘The Wild Flowers of 
Melbourne.” 
By the kindness of some of the lady members, tea and coffee were pro- 
vided in the Council Chamber: after which, the President, the Secretary 
members of the Committee, and others, ascended the platform: and the 
more formal part of the proceedings was commenced by the delivery of 
the Annual Address by the President, which we give in extenso, This was ~ 
followed by a paper by the Rev. H. Rich, of Hardwick, Aylesbury, on 
“British Reptiles.” The organisation of the class which they represent 
was carefully described ; and the members of the various orders were duly 
noticed. The Secretary then read a paper, communicated by Robert 
Holland, Esq., of Mobberley, Cheshire, on “ Water Lilies,” which, although 
somewhat long, was extremely interesting. We much regret that our 
space will not permit us to do more than allude thus casually to two of 
the most interesting papers read during the Winter Session. 
The Mayor, T. Wheeler Esq., then proposed that the thanks of the Meeting 
be given to the President for his paper, as well as for his exertions on 
behalf of the Society since its establishment in 1865. This was seconded 
by the Rev. J. Power, of Tyler’s Green, and was carried unanimously. 
A similar vote to the Secretary was proposed by J. Edwards, Esq., and 
seconded, in a flattering speech, by T. Marshall, Esq., and was likewise 
carried, nem. con. 
Votes of thanks to the authors of the papers were also put and carried. 
The President's magnificent mieroseope was then produced ; but the 
Meoting dispersed slinost tismediately after the soncitsion of the papers, 
