6 Anniversary Address. 



shores to enter, in India, upon a new, and may we trust, a fruit- 

 ful field for his researches. In drawing your attention next 

 to those labors and requirements which appear to be of more 

 immediate importance to the Institute, I cannot more forcibly 

 express my sentiments than in the words addressed on a si- 

 milar occasion to the Linnseans, by Professor Bell : — The very 

 " staple of our society, that element which will contribute 

 most to our usefulness and reputation at home and abroad, 

 are our published Transactions." Well may we weigh these 

 words. In order to excite a friendly emulation amongst our- 

 selves, to serve the cause of science universally, as well as to 

 enrich the literary materials within the Institute, and render 

 them accessible to the community, I know of no more ra- 

 tional, no more effective means, than regular and frequent 

 issues of our records, and their extensive interchange with 

 simdar societies. And whilst we gratefully acknowledge that 

 cordial response which the commencing labors of our young- 

 Institution have already experienced from some of the most 

 illustrious who adorn science in this age, let us look forward 

 hopefully to a period when we will rise to array around us, 

 as our honorary representatives, the learned of the scientific 

 world in foreign lands, and when the lustre of those brilhant 

 stars in the firmament of science will more closely guide us in 

 the search of truth. During that period in which part of our 

 labors will receive a sectional organization, the attainment of 

 our aim will likely be accelerated. Many, watching carefully 

 our progress, my honorable and distinguished predecessor and 

 myself amongst them, reflected on this alteration with 

 serious anxiety. If the sectional proceedings, which at pre- 

 sent should be regarded only in the light of an experiment, 

 are restricted as occasion offers to the pursuit of discoveries 

 by co-operation ; — if they are freed from that formality and 

 that restraint which, by necessity, must rule our general con- 

 venings ; — if, moreover, they are held to test communica- 



