KEPORT OF TJIK COMMITXEK. 39 



but it may be named that while his studies necessarily lay in 

 another direction, he was always warmly interested in and 

 keenly alive to the modern revelations of science, and to the 

 necessity for the spread of scientific truth. 



By the death on the 11th inst. of our venerable Vice-Presi- 

 dent, John Clayton, Esq., of the Chestcrs, the Society has to 

 mourn the loss of its oldest officer, IVIr. Clayton having been 

 elected a member in 1832 and Yice-President in 1835. Though 

 taking no active part in the scientific work of the Society, Mr. 

 Clayton always took a lively interest in its proceedings, and 

 was ready on all occasions, by his judicious advice, experience, 

 and presence at its meetings, to promote the welfare and the 

 objects and interests of the Society through the long period of 

 fifty-eight years. 



The Committee have also to deplore the death of Mr. James 

 Eichardson, which occurred very suddenly on the 1 6th June. 

 He had been a member of the Society for twenty-five years, and 

 though not devoting himself to any special branch of Natural 

 ^History he ever took a warm interest in the progress and welfare 

 of the Society, and for several years was a member of the Com- 

 mittee and a liberal subscriber to the Museum Building Fund. 



Prom the staff of Honorary Curators we have to record the 

 loss of Mr. Matthew Henderson, whose unassuming manners 

 and careful work as an entomologist endeared him to all who 

 came in contact with him. Ever busy in his moments of leisure 

 with some I^atural History pursuit, and ever ready to communi- 

 cate his observations to young and old, he will be much missed 

 by those with whom he worked and had the pleasure of his in- 

 timate acquaintance. 



The Honorary Treasurer's Financial Account shews a balance 

 of £156 : 16 : 10, in contrast with a balance of £106 : 18 : 10 

 for last year. The excess of £50 is accounted for by a private 

 donation, which the Committee suggest should be transferred to 

 the Maintenance Fund Account. It will be seen from the 

 General Account that the strictest economy has been exercised 

 during the year; no outlay for increasing the collections or com- 

 pleting the furnishing of the Museum has been made, but only 



