Devon and Cornwall Natural History Society. 523 
were many ladies resident in the town and neighbourhood. This 
Society has been established about three years, and numbers above 
a hundred Members. Lectures are delivered weekly during the six 
summer months, and monthly conversaziones held during the winter. 
Zoological, Botanical, Geological and Statistical Sections have been 
formed, which meet at stated periods, and from which much valuable 
local information may be anticipated. Lieut.-Col. Hamilton Smith, 
K.H., K.W., F.R.S., F.L.S., &c. &c. &c., the well-known naturalist, 
is the President of the Society. 
Captain Creyke, R.N., one of the Vice-Presidents, was requested 
to preside on this occasion. 
Capt. Creyke, on being called to the chair, mentioned the encouraging 
prospects of the Society on the opening of their new rooms at the com- 
mencement of the new year, and the pleasing business of the evening, 
the presentation of the portrait of their highly talented and esteemed 
President. 
A testimonial relative to this gratifying object having been read by Mr. 
Markes, as Secretary of a Committee appointed for the purpose, Mr. G. W. 
Soltau Géubritulsted the Society upon having obtained a room so well qua- 
lified for the delivery of its Lectures, and possessing such excellent accom- 
modation for the reception of the Museum, which he hoped at no very di- 
stant period would rival any in the West of England, and in a situation so 
accessible to country subscribers and to all who might visit the neighbour- 
hood ; and alluded to the advantages of such Societies from that friendly 
feeling which is engendered amongst all classes in the search of truth and 
investigation of nature. 
* Plymouth,” observed Mr. Soltau, ‘“ presents peculiar attractions for the 
formation of a Natural History Society, when we reflect that we are situated 
in one of the largest harbours of England, which daily offers additions to 
our Museum, obtained from every quarter of the globe ; that we are situated 
in the midst of the most extensive mining district in Britain, and that our 
soil produces some of the rarest specimens of the vegetable world. We have 
now a place suitable for the reception of those wonders of nature, and which 
is at all times open to any individual who may take pleasure in their inves- 
tigation; and allow me specially to remark, that we are most ready at all 
times to further and assist the most humble inquirer after knowledge. Allow 
me now, in behalf of several of the Members of this Institution, to present 
the portrait of Lieut.-Col. Hamilton Smith to this Society. His name, his 
talents, his acquirements, are too well known here, are too well known 
wherever science is appreciated or knowledge sought, to require any remarks 
from me. Long, long may the original of that portrait remain amongst us, 
to benefit us by his counsel, to aid us by his advice, and add lustre to the 
Devon and Cornwall Natural History Society !” 
The Chairman, having warmly expressed his sense of the talents and 
worth of the President, and the obligations which he had conferred upon 
the Society, the adoption of the testimonial proposed by the Committee ha- 
ving been carried by acclamation, the Chairman resigned the chair to Lieut.- 
Col. Hamilton Smith, who delivered the following address :— 
“ Gentlemen,—At length we have the pleasure of meeting in our new lo- 
cality ; in a situation where I trust the Society will long continue to flourish 
in zeal and unanimity, with advantage to the studious portion of these towns 
and honour to itself. The situation where we are now assembled is one of 
the most convenient that could be selected, for Members residing at opposite 
distances will find it nearly central. The space we already possess, with 
the additional rooms which we shall obtain on or before next Midsummer, 
