REPOKT OF COUNCIL. 73 



Association do become amalgamated henceforth with the Natural His- 

 tory Society of Dublin, on the terms which, having been proposed by 

 this Association, have been so heartily accepted by the Natural History 

 Society of Dublin.' 



" Several letters from distinguished Corresponding Members have 

 reached your Council, expressive of great satisfaction at the accomplish- 

 ment of so desirable a union. After deducting the members who were 

 common to both Societies, and those few who have declined to come 

 over, as above stated, many names distinguished in the field of natural 

 science have been added to the list. Whether the whole of these will 

 remain as members is still to be seen ; but your Council confidently 

 hopes that all those interested in natural science will see fit to aid in its 

 advancement as far as in them lies, by their continued favour and pre- 

 sence, and by their contributions. 



" Your Council feels that it requires no arguments to establish the 

 propriety and advisability of this, as it believes, most desirable consum- 

 mation. A considerable number of the members of the former Univer- 

 sity Association and of this Society were common to both, and it seemed 

 naturally to suggest itself that two separate, but kindred, Societies in 

 Dublin, each publishing its own Journal, and working on its own dis- 

 tinct basis, yet each with a similar object, was an anomaly, and to a 

 considerable extent a misguided waste of that energy which, if directed 

 into a single channel, must work more efficiently for the promotion of 

 their common aim — the advancement of natural science. Accordingly, 

 your Council hailed with pleasure the proposal for a fusion of the two 

 Societies, and begs to congratulate all parties on the hitherto hearty and 

 harmonious manner in which so desirable a result has been effected ; 

 and, whilst inviting the active co-operation of all for the common weal, 

 with the most hopeful anticipations, trusts and believes that the union 

 of the two Societies will be productive of the best results as regards the 

 furtherance of the progress of natural science in Ireland, and the in- 

 creased promotion of friendly feeling and harmonious good will amongst 

 its cultivators in Dublin — and so, viribus unitis ! 



" During the past year the meetings of the Society were held at the 

 Royal Irish Academy House, Dawson-street ; and to the Council of that 

 body your Council begs to offer in the name of the Society its best 

 thanks for that accommodation. An application to the Council of the 

 Academy for permission to meet during the coming session at its house 

 in Dawson-street has been, as before, kindly acceded to. 



" The donations last year to the museum have been numerous and 

 valuable, but chiefly confined to birds. The museum still remains in 

 the safe custody of your Treasurer. 



" The state of the funds of the Society is satisfactory, and a balance 

 in its favour remains to be carried forward to the coming session. The 

 details will be found in the Treasurer's report. 



" During the preceding Session sixteen Papers have been read — ten 

 zoological, and six botanical. The zoological were: — ' On the Winter 

 Migration of the Pomarine Skua (Lestris pomarinus) ; and ' On the Oc- 



