xii T V 'esident 's Address 



The section for mathematics, astronomy, physical science, 

 and engineering, called section A, has been again formed, 

 with a strong list of members, and two or three meetings 

 have already been held. These section meetiDgs are some- 

 what less formal than our ordinary ones,, and members are 

 therefore encouraged to bring forward many matters of 

 value and interest which are either not ripe for or not con- 

 sidered of sufficient importance for a communication to the 

 members' meetings. It is not of course intended that the 

 section meetings shall in any way absorb matters which 

 should come before the full Society, but rather to discuss 

 and elaborate incomplete experiments, investigations, inven- 

 tions, &c, prior to submitting them at the ordinary meetings. 

 I am glad to hear that several of our members, students of 

 natural history, are also about to form sections C and D. 



I stated in my last address that the Council had appointed 

 a committee to consider the best means of broadening the 

 basis of our Society, and opening our ranks to young men 

 whose taste and education would lead them towards us, but 

 to whom the monetary obligations of ordinary membership 

 were a serious consideration. The Committee reported in 

 favour of the formation of a new class of members, to be styled 

 " associates," who should be nominated and balloted for as 

 in the case of ordinary members, but who should be 

 admitted without entrance fee, and with half the annual 

 subscription demanded from members, and that, with the 

 exception of the power of voting or taking part in the 

 government of the Society, they should enjoy the same 

 privileges as members. This report was approved of at a 

 special general meeting, and a rule added to our code accord- 

 ingly. I am glad to say this reform has already resulted in 

 the enrolment of a considerable number of young men 

 earnestly interested in the objects of the Society, and who 

 have already given evidence that the almost boundless 

 fields for research and investigation which are daily widen- 

 ing out before us will not be left entirely unexplored by 

 them. 



