President's Address. 227 



sions would indeed be a little out of place in an audience 

 largely composed of laymen. 



As a rule, too, I also fear that the workers in mathema- 

 tics and physics will prefer to lay their communications 

 before societies which have previously laid themselves more 

 out for that manner of work. We should, however, be 

 heartily glad to receive papers in those subjects as well as 

 in Chemistry, and here we may congratulate ourselves on 

 the fact that, amongst those who have taken an interest in 

 the society of late years, and have contributed considerably 

 to its prosperity, are several gentlemen who follow chemistry 

 as a profession. 



But, by Natural History, I mean Natural History in its 

 widest sense, not Geology only, but Zoology, Botany, and 

 Geology. However, as regards Botany, seeing that there is 

 also an excellent Botanical Society in Edinburgh, there is 

 no necessity for us endeavouring to push that part of the 

 subject. From the connection, however, of all palieonto- 

 logical work with Geology, papers on Fossil Botany will, I 

 have no doubt, be highly appreciated by our members, and 

 I am glad to say that our Proceedings have latterly been 

 enriched by more than one valuable contribution on the 

 structure of carboniferous plants. 



In Zoology and Geology the field is open. And under 

 Zoology I would include everything relating, not merely to 

 the external configuration and habits of animals, but to their 

 internal structure, physiology, and morphology, and though 

 of deep interest and importance to the geologist, I also main- 

 tain that the study of fossil animals is a part of Zoology. In 

 the field of Natural History, as well as of science in general, 

 there is plenty of work for every one ; he who can devote 

 enthusiasm, industry, patience, and time to work, will 

 speedily find out for himself a subject for original in- 

 vestigation. 



Second, As to the nature of the communications appro- 

 priate for this Society. According to my apprehension the 

 great object of the Eoyal Physical Society is to encourage its 

 members to the practical study of science, in the field or in 

 the laboratory, as the case may be, and when facts of interest 



