396 
collected by Mr. Samuels, and forwarded by the Smith- 
sonian Institution, accompanied by a catalogue by Prof. 
Baird. 
After some remarks by the chairman upon the advan- 
tages and feasibility of summer excursions into the 
country and to the seashore, for the study and collection 
of objects of natural history, it was voted that a com- 
. mittee be appointed to take into consideration the sub- 
ject of such excursions ; and Messrs. Bouvé, Binney, 
and Brewer were chosen this committee. 
The hour appointed for the choice. of a President 
having arrived, Messrs. Ellis and Binney were appointed 
a committee to collect and count the votes, and after 
the first ballot, Professor Jeffries Wyman was declared 
unanimously elected. 
Prof. Wyman hesitated in accepting the office thes 
tendered to him, expressing great diffidence in his ability 
to serve the Society acceptably in the capacity of Presi- 
dent, at the same time signifying his willingness to 
promote its welfare in any way that lay in his power 
He thought. he could do this better in his private 
capacity than as its presiding officer. 
Several gentlemen having urged in the most emphatic 
manner the acceptance of the office so cordially offered 
him, Prof. Wyman begged the Society would allow him 
time for consideration on the subject. 
Mr. Benjamin J. Jeffries was elected a Resident 
—. Member. 
