the sphere of action of the Institution, both in regard to the 

 number of persons who have been interested in its proceedings, and 

 to the extent of research on its sj^ecial subjects. It was hoped, when 

 this extension of our publications was resorted to, that the number 

 of subscribers to the Journal would be sufficient to reimburse, or 

 nearly so, the charges incurred over and above those heretofore 

 occasioned in printing the Annual Reports and the Communications 

 read at our Meetings ; and the sale of about 300 copies would 

 have done this. But with only 100 Subscribers, the loss entailed 

 is so heavy, that perseverance in the same extent of publication 

 would not be consistent with a due regard for the other purposes 

 to which a fair share of the income ought to be aj^plied. Your 

 Council would therefore suggest that, for the present at least, one 

 Number only of the Journcd be issued annually, in addition to the 

 Report ; and that the charge to Subscribers be reduced to 3s. a 

 year. Should their number materially increase, it will be easy at 

 any future time to revert to the half-yearly issue. Mr. Chorley, 

 the ability of whose editorship has been referred to already, is 

 willing to continue his services at a proportionate reduction of the 

 slender remuneration he has hitherto received. Under this ar- 

 rangement, taken as a whole, it can hardly be doubted that gain 

 to our funds, rather than loss, will result, in comparison with the 

 old system ; whilst it may be hoped that most of the advantages 

 of the recent form of publication will be preserved. 



You will have just received the 8th Number of the Journal, 

 completing the Second Volume. We feel assured that you will 

 consider it fully equal to its predecessors, and will cordially join 

 us in tendering our best thanks to those who have contributed to 

 its pages and illustrations, or to the preceding Number. 



The history of the Institution during the past year, in its 

 other relations, does not call for any lengthened remarks. The 

 Museum has received several valuable accessions ; among them 

 must be noticed as deserving special acknowledgment, a large col- 

 lection of articles from various parts of the world, chiefly in 

 illustration of their social conditions, presented by Mr. Rashleigh, 

 of Menabilly. These, with the other donations then received, 

 were exhibited at the Spring Meeting, and are mentioned in the 

 current Number of the Journal. The re-axTangement of some 

 pai-ts of our collection, and the substitution of new specimens for 

 damaged ones, have been long called for ; and a liberal expenditure 

 should be allotted to these objects as soon as it can be afforded. 



The visitors to the Museum have not been quite so numerous 

 as in some preceding years ; but free admission has been given to 

 betAveen six and seven thousand (6442). 



The Microscopic Soirees, whose first introduction was referred 



