Annual Report uf the S. A. Institution. 121 



means of loftiest gratification to minds of the highest order. 

 Hut let no one disregard even the practical value of that in 

 which the philosopher seeks his enjoyment. The progress of 

 knowledge is constantly bringing out into practical effect dis- 

 coveries of pure science, which, when first announced, seemed 

 unlikely to afford more than scope for the skill and practice 

 of the cultivator. A future age will find the profit of arising 

 discoveries, ;is the present is profiting by the past, however 

 apart from present usefulness may be the course which the 

 inquirer seems to pursue. The detonating contrivances once 

 offered as an amusement to the tyro chemist, are effecting a 

 change in the system of national assault or defence. Dis- 

 coveries may be sought and loved as a matter of curiosity, and 

 left to be applied to the use of future generations, as the seeds 

 which serve for toys to a child and are flung aside upon the 

 earth, arc recognized again when they emerge into life, the 

 origin of wide spread vegetation to other ages. 



3. Acquisitions of the Association: — 



The Treasurer reports, with the concurrence of the Auditors, 

 that during last year the net receipts of the Institution have 

 been £142; 17s. and the expenditure £183:7: 1, leaving in 

 his hands the sum of £ 65 : 5 : 8| in cash, and that of outstand- 

 ing claims, there is a balance in favor of the Institution 

 of £38:8:6, making its total available fund amount to 

 £103:14:2J, including subscriptions now due, and acquisi- 

 tions in the Stock of the Association. 



The Council have to remark, that a great part of the above 

 outstanding balance is so disposed of as to be refunded 

 gradually by the transmission of Specimens to the Museum. 



Of Acquisitions to this branch of the Institution, the Coun- 

 cil have to notice, 



1. A superb Lion, of which the skin was presented by His 

 Excellency the Governor. 



2. A specimen of the wild Boar of the Colony. 



3. A skull of a Hippopotamus, presentcd.by the Rev. H. P. 

 Hallbeck, Genadendal. 



4. Some foreign Birds, &c. from The Right Honorable Lady 

 Frances Cole. 



5. The male and female of the Gilloorie of India, (Sciurus 

 Palmnrum,) presented by Madame Coudrie, of the Island of 

 Mauritius. 



G. A collection of native Birds, transmitted by Dr. Smith, 

 amounting to 200 individuals. The disposal of which has wo- 

 yet been arranged. 



7. Specimens of Fossil Bonos of a large Mamm'^ 1 " 0113 

 Animal, from the Karroo ; presented by the Rev- Dr. ^danrson. 



i 



