316 Annual Report. 



if we continue to merit it, a rich supply of the information we 

 covet, from the intelligent observers scattered over the extensive 

 and varied domain submitted to our research. The Institution 

 has already been gratified by receiving from its Members many 

 interesting communications in regard to those branches of know- 

 ledge which it proposes to investigate ; and to our correspondents 

 in the country we .are indebted for several valuable elucidations 

 of those matters to which we endeavoured to direct their attention. 



By the measure which the Institution has sanctioned, of ex- 

 tending its usefulness, by recording its transactions in the South 

 African Quarterly Journal, the benefit of the information given 

 and secured is readily diffused; and, though this subsidiary 

 experiment has been of very limited extent and duration, the 

 result is sufficiently encouraging. 



Time has not yet been afforded us for effecting a reciprocal 

 intercourse with the similar associations of loftier aspect and 

 greater power in other countries ; but we have no reason to 

 imagine that our humble efforts will be overlooked, or that our 

 willing aid will be disregarded in the extensive researches which 

 they prosecute. They are awake to the advantage of possessing 

 a local and permanent agent in a district so deservedly the ob- 

 ject of their attention; and we may anticipate much gratifying 

 and useful direction from 1 he instructions they communicate, or 

 from the example they set us in their proceedings regarding 

 those matters on which we mutually speculate. 



Of the nature and object of our domestic transactions during 

 the elapsed twelve months, we shall now proceed to give a short 

 detail: — 



In regard to our internal economy, the regulations we adopted 

 have been, it is conceived, as few and simple as the case would 

 admit of; aud we feel that we are correct in leaving, as the 

 result of our future experience, the additional rules which a 

 greater extent or complexity in our operations may require. 



The Institution made an early endeavour to excite attention 

 from the public, to those subjects involved in our researches 

 which were most likely to be of general interest and benefit, by 

 proposing honorary premiums for the most approved communi- 

 cations in regard to them. In consequence of a request to that 

 effect, an extensive list of such subjects was furnished by Mem- 

 bers of the Institution. From which the Council, in compliance 

 with your instructions, selected four, — such as in our present 

 circumstances seemed of most utility. It is to be regretted that 

 this measure has been unsuccessful; and it will rest with the 

 succeeding Council to determine, whether the mode of operation 

 may be varied so as to have the intended effect; either, perhaps, 

 by diminishing the number of such subjects, and striving -to 

 concentrate attentiou to a greater degree on the more important : 

 or, by extending the time of competition, or augmenting the 

 rewards or privileges conferred on the successful. Though, as 



