266 



Report of Librarian. 



encased in the centre of an iron cable composed of wires of from one- 

 eighth to one-quarter of an inch in thickness, according to the strength 

 required. 



Mr. Coclcey, on the part of Dr. Kobert D. Thomson, gave in the 

 following report on the state of the Library at the period when he ceased 

 to be Librarian : — 



The Library has this year been carefully examined by Mr. James 

 M'Lagan, (who has discharged his duties of giving out and receiving 

 books since his appointment with great efficiency,) and has been found 

 free from defects. The total number of volumes is 2070, showing an 

 increase during the last year of 150 vols. ; that in November, 1851, being 

 1920. 



Table of Number of Volujies and Ndmber of Readers Monthly. 



From this table it might be supposed that in some months the number 

 of vols, read and the readers had diminished. This circumstance appeared 

 to depend in some measure on the regulations in returning books, within 

 the time specified by the rules of the Society. The second series of the 

 Annales de Sciences Naturelles, the Quarterly Journal of the Royal Insti- 

 tution, and the second series of the Annals of Philosophy, have been com- 

 pleted during this year. The journals now requiring to be completed, are 

 principally the Annales de Sciences, first series, Poggendorflfs Anualen, 

 Annales de Chemie, first series, Annales de Mines, early series. Journal 

 de Pharmacie. It is a pleasing duty on the part of the Curator to be 

 able to hand over such a valuable and thriving library to his successor, 

 remembering, as he does, eleven years ago, when the volumes were com- 

 prised in a small cupboard, under one of the windows of the Andersonian 

 Library — the number of ordinary members of the Society then numbering 

 about 80, while at present they amount to 273. 



Mr. Liddell gave in the Treasurer's Account, which was ordered to be 

 engrossed as follows : — 



