3 
they were at the time copiously reported in the local 
papers, and as the President’s address has been since 
printed for the society’s members, in the form of a 
pamphlet. Both meetings afforded much gratification 
to those present, and your council anticipate the 
pleasure of somewhat similar evenings during the future 
session, At the remaining meetings, various subjects 
were brought forward, illustrative of zoology, compa- 
rative anatomy, botany, geology, meteorology, eth- 
nology, and applied physical science. 
“The council think it well to observe, that at the 
commencement of the session, which they have 
briefly sketched, they requested James M‘Adam, Esq., 
G. C. Hyndman, Esq.; E. Getty, Esq.; J. R. Garrett, 
Esq.; Dr. Dickie, and one or two other members, to 
inspect carefully the different collections within the 
Museum, and to furnish reports on each, for the 
eouncil’s guidance. These reports were daly received; 
and, taking them as the basis for their remarks, the 
council now enter into the following details, which will 
acquaint the shareholders with the exact state of the 
several collections. 
“First, as regards the zoological and botanical de- 
partments, it is evident that, in a provincial museum, 
there are many reasons why a general and complete 
collection of such objects cannot be acquired, and, ac- 
cordingly, the aim of those managing such institutions 
should be to procure a good series of specimens illus- 
trative of the Fauna and Flora of the surrounding dis- 
trict. Owing, however, to the long-continued exer- 
tions of the late Wm. Thompson, Esq., our former pre- 
sident, and to his liberality in presenting his own 
collections afterwards, the Museum now embraces 
nearly a complete collection, in some departments, of 
Irish natural history. 
“The collection of British birds and their eggs com- 
prises specimens of the greater number of those which 
are of common occurrence, and some of great rarity. 
The foreign ornithological collection is still more ex- 
tensive, including donations from many countries. 
Amongst those deserving especial notice, are the ya- 
luable specimens of Antarctic and Australian birds pre- 
sented by Captain Crozier, R.N., and the large dona- 
tion of Cingalese birds received from Robert Temple- 
ton, Esq., R.A. 
“The collections of mammals, fishes, and reptiles, 
