150 JOURNAL OF CONCHOLOGY, VOL. I3, NO. 5, JANUARY, Igtt. 



Election of Honorary Member. 



On behalf of the Council, Mr. Edward Collier moved and Mr. R. Standen 

 seconded : — 



"That Mr. John \Y. Taylor be elected an Honorary Member of the Society 

 in place of Dr. Rudolph Bergh deceased." 



The motion was carried with acclamation. 



In acknowledging the honour of his election, Mr. Taylor took the opportunity 

 to briefly review the genesis and progress of the Conchological Society and of the 

 Journal of Conchology. 



The Society was instituted about thirty-five years ago, the project being con- 

 ceived by four enthusiastic conchologists, who constituted the Society at its inception. 

 From this humble beginning has developed the powerful and prosperous Society 

 to which we are all proud to belong. These four conchologists were Mr. Henry 

 Crowther, F. R.M.S., Curator of the Leeds Museum, but unfortunately no longer 

 a member of the Society ; the late Mr. W. Nelson who, as the oldest and most 

 experienced conchologist, was unanimously chosen as the first President ; Mr. 

 W. Denison Roebuck, F.L.S., who was chosen as first Secretary, and for many 

 years ably filled that onerous and honourable position ; and Mr. J. W. Taylor. 



It was not only the first organization of its kind in this country, but the direct 

 parent of the more recently-established Conchological Societies of London and else- 

 where, which were definite offshoots from our Society and the outcome of its success. 



The Society did not, however, spring up spontaneously, but resulted from the 

 issue of \\\z Journal of Conchology, which had been established by Mr. Taylor some 

 two years previously — February, 1S74 — for the purpose of popularising and extending 

 the influence of the study, and to bring into closer relationship and friendship the 

 few and scattered conchologists of that period. 



The Jou7nal was edited by Mr. Taylor for twenty-one years, from the moment 

 of its inception, and by its means a most powerful impulse was given to the study, 

 which led to a great increase in the number of its votaries. At the end of that 

 period the publication — having survived all its youthful perils and occupying an 

 assured position in the scientific world — was handed over by Mr. Taylor to the 

 care of the Society, which its influence had helped to establish, as he was desirous 

 of devoting his available time solely to the preparation of the great Monograph, 

 now in course of publication. 



In conclusion, Mr. Taylor expressed his grateful acknowledgments for the 

 unanimous and cordial way in which the motion had been received, and said what 

 a great source of pleasure and satisfaction it was to him to receive this token of 

 their kind appreciation of his long labours to promote the welfare of the Society 

 and the progress of the study of Conchology. 



President's Address. 



Lieut. -Col. H. H. Godwin-Austen, F.R.S., then delivered an Address, en- 

 titled : — " Some Remarks on the Determination of Species." 



A vote of thanks to the retiring President for his Address was unanimously passed. 



A vote of thanks was also accorded to the Manchester University Authorities 

 for the use of the Museum buildings. 



An invitation was received, through Mr. Masefield, to hold the next Annual 

 Meeting at Hanley, Staffs. 



Exhibits. 



By Rev. Canon J- W. Horsley : Heiniplecta javanica, Java.; Ampidlaria polita, 

 Java. 



By Mr. Edward Collier : («), series of Helix neinoralis, collected in May last at 

 Lisdoonvarna SjDa, Co. Clare, climbing high up in a thorn hedge. Helix aspersa and 



