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the existence of peculiar modifications to render the animals more 

 suitable to the conditions in which they were placed. 



The Annual Meeting was held on Wednesday evening, 13th 

 April. Prof. Jas. Thomson, LL.D., occupied the chair. The 

 Secretaries' Report was read by Mr. William Gray, and the 

 Treasurer's by Mr. Greer Malcomson. These reports were 

 adopted, and the Office-bearers for the ensuing year elected, after 

 which a lengthened conversation took place with reference to 

 the most appropriate places for the Excursions of the coming 

 session, and the names of a number of places were suggested to 

 the Committee for their consideration. Mr. R. Young stated his 

 intention of offering a prize for the best original measured drawing 

 and details of some ruined building in the Province of Ulster, of 

 not later date than the fifteenth century. And Prof. Jas. Thomson 

 of one for the best essay and oral answering upon the optics of 

 the miscroscope. The subject of the establishment of an aquarium 

 in Belfast was then brought forward, and the following resolution 

 proposed and carried by the meeting : — " That, in the opinion of 

 this meeting, in order to further the study of natural history, it 

 would be desirable to establish an aquarium in connection with 

 some public institution in Belfast suitable for its reception, and 

 that we promise to assist in its establishment as far as is in our 

 power." 



The election of several new members terminated the business 

 of the meeting. 



