president's address. 291 



At the Second Evening Meeting, held on the 80th January, 

 1871, was read an important series of palaeontological papers, 

 which also will appear in the next part of the Transactions. The 

 titles of the papers are as follows — 



1. On Saccammina Carteri, anew Foraminifer from the Car- 

 boniferous Limestone of Northumberland," by Henry B. Brady, 

 F.L.S. 



2. " On a new Labyrinthodont Amphibian, Batrachiderpeton 

 lineatum, from the Coal- Shale at Newsham," by Albany Hancock, 

 F.L.S. , and Thomas Atthey. 



3. " On Proterosaurus Speneri (von Meyer), and a new Spe- 

 cies, Proterosaurus Huxleyi, from the Marl-Slate of Midderidge, 

 Durham,''' by Albany Hancock, F.L.S., and Bichard Howse. 



4. " On a new Labyrinthodont Amphibian, Lepidotosaurus 

 Duffii, from the Magnesian Limestone of Midderidge, Durham," 

 by Albany Hancock, F.L.S., and Bichard Howse. 



5. " On Dorypterus Hoffmanni (Grermar), /mm the Marl-Slate 

 of Midderidge," by Albany Hancock, F.L.S., and Bichard Howse. 



6. " Remarks on a considerable Portion of a Mandibular Ramus 

 of Anthracosaurus Russelli, with Notes on Loxomma and Archich- 

 thys," by Albany Hancock, F.L.S., and Thomas Atthey. 



A Note by Mr. Edward Mounsey of Denham, near Uxbridge, 

 was also read, recording the occurrence of a bat ( Yespertilio 

 aurita, Linn.) on the wing on the 13th January, 1871. 



As to the practical working of our Society, though we have 

 much reason for satisfaction and encouragement, we may freely 

 admit that improvements are possible, and perhaps requisite if 

 we would attain our full measure of usefulness. Aiming, as we 

 do, to interest a large body of persons actively engaged in busi- 

 ness or other absorbing pursuits, it would be a mistake to en- 

 deavour after too great profundity or scientific severity in the 

 conduct of our meetings. Those indeed whose object is serious 

 work in the field will prefer to choose occasions when they can 

 be out of the crowd, either alone or at most with one or two 

 others similarly employed ; so that we need not expect any very 



