February, 1909.] Annual Address. Xxix 
In the domain of the Natural Sciences, we have had important 
papers in Geology as well as Zoology from Capt. Hirst, Mr. 
Hooper, and Dr. Annandale. Captain Hirst deals with a subject 
garded as a monument of industry and research. In the domain 
of Indian Botany, we have had important papers from Mr, 
rain. Finally, we have had a short paper from Mr. Leake, in 
which he introduces the subject of the experimental breeding of 
Indian cottons. There have been also several other papers 
one paper which I feel it would be improper for me to pass over 
in silence—I mean the paper on birds in Manchu, China, and 
Turkey by Dr. Denison Ross. I have hesitated how to classify 
this paper, whether to give it a place in the domain of Philology 
or of Science. From what I have been able to gather of its 
contents, I think it might claim a place in both, and on publica- 
tion it ought to be of value not only to travellers but also to 
S 
Scientific men in the identification of birds in the regions named. 
the preceding year, I hope it would be fairly obvious even to 
the most unfriendly critic that there has been no lack of devo- 
tion amongst our investigators, and that the materials which they 
have been able to place at the disposal of scientific workers here 
and elsewhere will maintain, if not substantially enhance, the 
reputation of the society. : 
n my address last year, I welcomed the considerable 
acquisition to our strength by the enrolment of medical mem- 
ts and the formation of a medical section of the society. I 
