Helvetic Soctely. 369 
of which I am at present the organ, and which will have to 
offer you, at this session, the modest tribute of its labours of 
the year. But the exercise of the presidency to which I 
find myself called,—of a function so new to me, inspires me 
with a just and well founded apprehension. The fresh recol- 
lection of the superior men who have acquitted themselves 
of this duty in so distinguished a manner; the comparison of 
my feeble means with those with which they have been en- 
dowed, and of which they have given proofs, alarms me in 
the highest degree. I have need of all your indulgences, my 
dear and honoured colleagues; and I claim it with anxiety, 
and in the name even of that benevolence, which assigned to 
me, at our last aunual meeting, the suffrages, in virtue of 
which I have the honour now to address you. 
» In conformity to the example of my learned predecessor, 
Professor Bronner, I shall endeavour to trace out succinctly 
the discoveries made in natural science since our last annual 
* Mr. Gosse, founder of the society, who was rémoved by déath a few 
months after its first formation. . 
ou. IXi—No. 2. 47 
