2 
a] 
to try a similar experiment in the past one, in eonse- 
quence of Mr Davison, M.P., and Mr Hyndman, volun- 
teering a short course on “econchology.” ‘This course 
was delivered in December last, and was listened to 
with mach interest, so that the Council are impressed 
with the importance of these courses in developing and 
encouraging a taste for natural science; and when ano- 
ther fitting opportunity occurs, they will provide a third 
course on some other department of science, for the be- 
netit of our members and others who attend our meet- 
ings. 
It is with much gratification that the Council have to 
report the interest manifested by the working classes in 
the museum, as shown by the numbers who visited it on 
last Easter Monday. The concourse of visiters was 
exceedingly great, between 6000 and 7,000 persons 
having availed themselves of the opportunity of seeing 
the collections on that day, 
On every week day, the museum is open from 12 
o'clock till 4 o’clock, for the inspection of members and 
visiters. Strangers from a distance have thus an op- 
portunity of examining a local collection of the natural 
history of Ulster, and of comparing its specimens with 
those from other parts of the world. They have also 
an opportunity of examining a number of objects of 
antiquity and of modern art, illustrative of different 
stages in the progress of mankind. 
The Council also wish to point ont to the members 
the improved state of the library, which, solely throuzh 
donations, has much increased of late years. 
It is with much regret that the Coune'l have to record, 
in their present report, the deaths of three bighly- 
esteemed members of this society. One of these, the 
Rev Dr Thos. D. Hincks, was a man who, for more than 
half a century, had taken the liveliest interast,and had 
made the most active exertions in fostering in Ireland a 
taste for intellectual improvement. For the last 36 
years he had resided in Belfast; and so lopg as his 
physical strength permitted him, he contributed his full 
share of co operation in every institution intended for 
intellectual and social advancement. Of our society he 
was anactive member in the early stages of itd progress; 
for some time he filled the president’s chair; and on his 
retiring from it he was elected honorary vice-president 
for life. Dr. Stevelly, our present president, in bis con- 
eluding address, last session, gave a number of details 
of Dr Hincks’s life, which were highly interesting aud 
instructive. 
Dr Robert Ball, one of tho most eminent naturalists 
in Ireland, and the intimate friend of our late distia- 
guished president, Mr Wm. ‘Thompson, is another of our 
fellow-members, although non-resident, who bas been 
consigned to the tomb during the past session. His 
deatb, in the prime of life, bas been very deeply 
