ORGANIC EVOLUTION 



^^c ^rcstlicntial glijijress 



Delivered before the Hampstbad Naturalists' Club at the 

 close of the session 1882-83, 



By WILLIAM BOULTING, KR.aP.LoND. 



An annual address, in order to be orthodox, requires that 

 the president should both congratulate his hearers on the 

 success of their society, and review the recent history and 

 present condition of that branch of learning which they 

 profess to pursue. 



The history of our society during the past year has been 

 one of undoubted progress. Our numbers are nearly 

 doubled ; oitr museum has been markedly enriched ; and 

 we have not only enjoyed the fellowship and help of many 

 members, including such well-known names as Professor 

 John Morris and Professor Rudler, but we have secured 

 *' noctes instruentes " from several non-members of 

 scientific note. We must all feel regret at the unfortunate 

 but unavoidable resignation of our indefatigable secretary, 

 although we are happy in securing the services of his 

 equally indefatigable brother. Beyond this there is little 

 to chronicle, and we are so far in the position of that 

 favoured nation that hath no history. 



In the past year there has passed away from the pre- 

 sence into the memory of man the greatest scientific mind 

 of this century, and perhaps of any age. His work was 

 80 thorough, so varied, and so comprehensive ; his power 

 of generalization was so massive, that it will take science 

 centuries to follow to their ultimate deductions, and com- 



