194 TRANSACTIONS AND PROCEEDINGS OF [Sess. lvi. 



in one volume or part. The rapid interchange of thought char- 

 acteristic of the present time, and the importance of priority 

 of publication, have rendered the new departure absolutely 

 necessary. That it will have a good effect on the future 

 prosperity of our Society is certain. I need not refer to the 

 papers themselves, as they are, or at least may be, now well 

 known to you all. There is one original feature, however, to 

 which I ought to allude, viz., the series of Commentaries on 

 British Plants, by Professor Bayley Balfour and Dr Muirhead 

 Macfarlane, in which were described the structure of the 

 wood of indigenous trees and shrubs, illustrated by means of 

 the micro-lantern. I am sure that every one who had the 

 privilege of seeing those lantern-projections will join with 

 me in expressing a hope that exhibitions of a similar char- 

 acter may form a prominent part of our proceedings in 

 future. jSTothing can possibly be better adapted for teaching 

 purposes. 



I am glad to be able to congratulate the Society upon the 

 fact that its membership has been fully maintained during 

 the past session. While, on the one hand, I have to record 

 the following losses by death : — 



Foreign Honorary Fellow — 1. 



Dr Carl von Nageli, Professor of Botany and Director of 

 the Botanic Garden, ]\Iunich. 

 Corresponding Fellow — 1. 



Dr R. Schomburgk, Director of the Government Botanic 

 Garden, Adelaide. 

 Ordinary Fellows — 4. 



Thomas J. Call, M.D., Ilkley. 



John Gair, Falkirk. 



Ileiny Cadogan Rothery, jNF.A., F.L.S. London. 



William Tiiomson, F.r!c.S.E. 

 Associate — 1. 



Andrew Brotlierston, Kelso. 



I have, on the other hand, to note the following additions 

 to the list of members : — 



British Ilonnraiy Fellow — I. 



Hugh Francis C. Cleghorn, M.D. 

 Foreign Honorary Fellows — 4. 



Dr Max Cornu, Director of the Jardin des Plantes, Paris. 



Dr Ado]])]i Engler, Professor of Botany and Director of 

 the Imperial Botanic Garden, Berlin. 



