all of those members who took part in the tour of Switzerland 

 last year recognise the extraordinary trouble and care which had 

 been taken by the Swiss authorities in arranging the tour for the 

 Society, and it was thought a very fitting mark of gratitude on 

 behalf of the Society that we should award the greatest honour 

 which it is in our power to bestow, that is our honorary 

 membership, on Dr Coaz, the venerable — and I may call him 

 venerable, for his age, I believe, is over 90 — Inspector- 

 General of Forests for Switzerland. I have great pleasure in 

 proposing that " The proposal was carried with acclamation. 



Report by the Council. 

 The Secretary read the Council's Report, as follows : — 



Membership. 



As usual the membership has fluctuated considerably in the 

 course of the year, but shows again a slight increase. The 

 number reported at last Annual Meeting was 1416. There have 

 been added to the Roll in the course of the year 103 names, 

 but 94 have been removed either on account of death, resigna- 

 tion, lapsing or other cause, and the total number at this 

 date is 1425. Amongst those removed by death were Mr 

 Thomas Ogilvie ; Mr H. J. Younger of Benmore ; Mr J. Grant 

 Thomson; Mr James Donaldson ; Mr John Methven; Mr Trotter 

 of Bush ; Lord Avebury ; the Duke of Sutherland ; Mr George 

 Malcolm ; Mr Weir of Kildonan ; Mr Robert Lindsay ; Mr J. W. 

 Hope of Luffness ; Sir W. O. Dalgleish, Bart. 



Essays. 



In response to a notice issued with the January Transaciiotis 

 of last year inviting members to send in papers for competition, 

 six papers were received and submitted to the Judges. Two 

 only of these were awarded medals — the other four being below 

 the standard expected. Certificates were issued along with the 

 medals. An invitation in a similar form has been issued with 

 this year's Transactions., and it is earnestly hoped that there will 

 be a larger number of papers of a higher standard submitted in 

 the course of the year. 



Donors. 



The thanks of the Society are again due to the Directors 

 of the Highland and Agricultural Society, for voting ^,20 

 to be expended in prizes for exhibits of home-grown timber in 

 their Show at Hawick. Hearty thanks are also due to Dr J. 



