2 Transactions. 



Secretary's Annual Keport for Session 1886-87. 



Tbe Secretary (Mr Wilson) read the Annual Report, which was 

 as folloAvs : In presenting the Annual Report for the Session which 

 has now drawn to a close, I have much pleasure in stating that the 

 past year has been the most successful in this Society's existence, 

 and that in it the Society has increased in membership and con- 

 siderably extended its usefulness, as the various details which I 

 now briefly submit will shew. 



At the last annual meeting our membership numbered 213, 

 comprising 5 life, 187 ordinary, and 21 honorary members. 

 During the session 24 ordinary members have been enrolled, and 

 1 ordinary member has been transferred to the list of life mem- 

 bers ; but 14 names have been taken off the roll, 2 members 

 having died and 12 either removed from the district or resigned. 

 Now the total number of members is 223, which is 10 more than 

 last session, and includes G life, 197 ordinary, and 20 honorary 

 members. 



During the session the usual 7 winter meetings and 5 summer 

 meetings were held, also 2 special meetings devoted to lectures 

 by members. 



All the winter meetings were fully occupied, and 15 com- 

 munications by different members were read and discussed, this 

 being the same number as in last session. Several of these papers 

 are of great local interest, and the majority treat of subjects 

 immediately within the scope of the Society and for which the 

 writers again deserve commendation. Special reference may, I 

 think, be made to the papei's by Mr Hastings on " Ornithological 

 Notes," Dr Davidson on his " Additions to the Flora," Rev. W. 

 Andson on " Meteorological Notes," Mr J. C. Aitken on " The 

 Bridge of Nith," Mr Armistead on his observations of " Atmo- 

 spheric and other Influences on the Migration of Fishes," Mr Coles 

 on his explorations among the " Archaic Sculpturings and Ring 

 Markings," and to Mr J. Wilson on " The Cinerary Urn found at 

 Greystone." 



The exhibition of specimens and objects of local interest at 

 the meetings was an additional source of information and pleasure, 

 and special reference may also be made to the unique articles 

 kindly lent by Mr R. M. ^V itham of Kirkconnell. 



The five field meetings were held in the neighbourhood of 

 Dumfries, Dalbeattie, Moffat, Sanquhar, and Kirkcudbright, so 



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