46 FIRST GENERAL MEETING. 



another, the origin of the great groups, the past history of our own 

 ancestors, and a hundred other problems, remain unsolved. 



We are in fact only on the threshold of the Temple of Science. 



Ours is therefore a delightful and inspiring Science. 



We are fortunate in meeting in the ancient University of 

 Cambridge, a visit to which is under any circumstances delightful 

 in itself from its Historic Associations, the picturesque beauty of its 

 buildings, and as the seat of a great Zoological School. 



The University and the Corporation have given us a most 

 hospitable reception for which we are very grateful. 



This morning will be devoted to business, and the receipt of 

 Reports. In the afternoon will be held the first meeting of sections, 

 and to-night the Vice-Chancellor has been good enough to invite 

 us to Downing College. To-7noj^roiu morning will be devoted to a 

 discussion of the position of Sponges in the Animal Kingdom, and 

 in the evening there will be a Conversazione in the Fitzwilliam 

 Museum. 



Thursday we are looking forward to a discussion on the Origin 

 of Mammals. 



Friday we shall have a very interesting programme beginning 

 with a discussion On the Origin of Man. 



Saturday morning we shall have to determine the time and 

 place of the next meeting, and then we adjourn to London. 



The President and Council of the Zoological Society have 

 invited us to visit their gardens in the afternoon, and in the evening 

 by the kind permission of the Trustees, I am permitted to invite 

 your presence to a party at the Natural History Museum. 



The Central Hall only will be open that evening, but on the 

 following day you will have the opportunity of visiting the whole 

 Museum. 



In the evening the President and Committee of the Royal 

 Societies' Club hope to have the pleasure of seeing you at their 

 house in St James' Street. 



On Monday the Museum of the College of Surgeons will be 

 thrown open, and will be found well worth a visit. Mr Rothschild 

 has also kindly invited us to see his rich Museum at Tring. 



On Tuesday, the Duke of Bedford will permit us to visit 

 his collection of Cervidae at Woburn, and there will be dredging 

 excursions under the auspices of the Director of the Marine 

 Biological Laboratory at Plymouth, and of Prof Herdman at 

 Port Erin. 



I trust therefore that you will have both a delightful and interest- 

 ing week, and that our foreign colleagues will carry back with them 

 pleasant recollections of their visit here which may induce them to 

 return again in some future year. 



