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REPORT. 
Tur Curster Socrery oF Naturat Science has now completed 
its second year. From its commencement, it has gone on 
steadily increasing, and the number of its Members has now 
reached 454. Of this number, 3 Honorary and 83 Ordinary 
Members have been elected since the last Annual Meeting. 
This fact, at least, shows that there is in Chester an appreciation 
of the objects for which the Society was founded; while, at the 
same time, it must be remembered that numbers and popularity 
are not everything, and if we would take rank amongst kindred 
Societies throughout the country, we must maintain amongst 
ourselves a large per-centage of earnest workers. Some of our 
Members have for years been devoted to some branch or other 
of Natural Science,—some have only taken up the pursuit 
lately, —while others are looking out for something which may 
awaken their interest, and so induce them to further study. To 
all, your Committee would beg to offer some words of advice. 
At a time like the present, when so much is doing in all branches 
of Natural Science, it would be next to impossible to keep pace 
with the tide of knowledge poured in on all sides, and therefore 
it is the more necessary, in a Society like ours, that the indi- 
vidual Members, while taking an interest in the general objects 
for which it was established, should ever bear in mind that they 
will most surely promote its best interest by steady pursuit and 
earnest study in some one branch; in this way only can they 
hope to add their mite to the sum of human knowledge, for by 
small beginnings do we arrive at great ends, and what at first 
sight has often appeared but a trifling discovery, has gone far to 
establish some important law of Nature. If we call to our aid 
patience and accuracy, our smallest work may have its value. 
