PROCEEDINGS OP THE SOCIETY. 315 



as to enable the objective to be used upon instruments having the 

 longer tubes with which English instruments as compared with Con- 

 tinental ones were furnished. The tube-length allowed for was from 

 20 cm. to 40 cm. 



Mr. Crisp made a statement in explanation of the non-publication 

 of the paper by Prof. Abbe, which was laid before the Society in 

 June 1880, the author not having found an opportunity to put it into 

 shape for printing, and preferring in consequence to withdraw it from 

 publication. Some remarks were made by Mr. Curties, Mr. Beck, 

 and others, and a letter from Prof. Abbe on the subject read. 



New Fellows : — The following were elected Ordinary Fellows : — 

 Messrs. W. J. Beaumont, J. W. Dunkerley, James Fleming, and 

 J. E. Haselwood. 



EEPORT OF THE COUNCIL FOR 1882. 



Fellows. — The number of new Ordinary Fellows elected during 

 the year was 40, while 15 died or resigned (12 subscribers and 3 com- 

 pounders), giving a net increase on the year of 25 as against 28 in 

 1881. One Honorary Fellow has died and two have been elected, 

 so that the list of Fellows now stands as follows: — 526 Ordinary, 

 50 Honorary, and 83 Ex-of&cio, or 659 in all. 



Officers. — The assiduous attention given by the President (Prof. 

 P. Martin Duncan, F.R.S.) to the affairs of the Society and the 

 effective manner in which he has presided over the meetings induced 

 the Council to recommend a suspension of the Bye-Laws to enable 

 him to be elected for a further term. The unanimity with which the 

 proposal was received leaves no doubt as to the approval by the 

 Fellows of the Council's action in the matter. 



The Council regret that Mr. Stewart, after having filled the office 

 of Secretary for ten years, has found himself obliged by the pressure 

 of his professional engagements to resign his office. On receiving his 

 resignation the Council unanimously resolved that they " deeply 

 regret Mr. Stewart's resignation and desire to record their sense of 

 the very valuable services rendered by him to the Society during the 

 term of his Secretaryship." The Annual Meeting will no doubt think 

 it right also to warmly acknowledge Mr. Stewart's services to the 

 Society. 



Meetings. — The attendance at the meetings has been fully main- 

 tained, and the subjects on the Agenda so numerous that the time 

 available has proved insufficient to deal with them. The Conver- 

 sazioni have also been largely attended, but the Council regret that 

 the impossibility of obtaining increased accommodation is at present 

 an insuperable obstacle to their further extension. 



