xxxviii President's Address 



ment of the style of compass-reading by 'points as cumbrous, 

 imperfect, and leading to mistakes, and the substitution of 

 " circular readings ; " Mr. MacGeorge exhibited drawings of 

 some remarkable sun spots, and read a paper on and 

 described a plan for " Hydraulic Clock Weights." 



At our last meeting, in July, Professor Wilson exhibited 

 and described a very simple and effective form of direction 

 Rain Gauge ; and Mr. Cosmo Newbery gave a short account 

 of a new method of preparing Chloralum (the new disin- 

 fectant and styptic) from kaolin. 



I regret to say that these contributions to science and art 

 are not yet printed. Since the withholding of the small state 

 assistance the Society enjoyed up to within the last two or 

 three years, coupled witli a recent monetar}^ loss, our financial 

 condition has not been sufficiently flourishing to enable your 

 council to proceed with printing the transactions. This is 

 the more to be regretted, as we are unable to reciprocate 

 regularly with the kindred societies in Europe, America, 

 and other parts of the world, who continue regularly to 

 forward to us their transactions and publications, as well as 

 with public institutions from whom the Society receives 

 frequent valuable additions to its library. The funds of 

 the society under the careful management of our present 

 treasurer and secretary, have however considerably improved, 

 and the council liope to resume publishing the transactions 

 before very long. 



Our library has been largely increased during the past 

 year by contributions and donations from abroad, which 

 have been, conveniently classified and arranged by our hon. 

 librarian, Dr. Neild. In accordance with an alteration in our 

 rules last year, the session of this year did not commence 

 till March, instead of January as heretofore, allowing two 

 months' vacation. This arrangement will, no doubt, be 

 found satisfactory to the members. 



