Annual Meeting. 3 



successful, describing the modes adopted in various centres in 

 England. He will again visit Belfast on 29th June, when a 

 town meeting will be held to make further arrangements. As 

 this is the first time that the Gilchrist lectures have been 

 granted to Ireland, it is hoped that the action of the trustees 

 will be fully justified by the success of the series in Belfast and 

 other Ulster towns. It will be observed from the hon. 

 treasurer's report that the finances of the Society are in a 

 satisfactory state, a substantial balance remaining in his hands. 

 A considerable number of new members have also joined the 

 Society. The Society's meetings in the Museum show no 

 diminution, and it is in contemplation to erect additional 

 accommodation for the geological work carried on by the 

 Belfast Naturalists' Field Club. Since the last annual meeting 

 the Society has to deplore the loss of one of its best known and 

 valued members, the late Joseph John Murphy. He was a 

 member of your Council for over forty-one years, and president 

 for several years. At the public meeting of the Society held 

 on the 6th February last, a vote of condolence was passed to 

 his relatives, on the motion of Mr. R. L. Patterson, J.P., vice- 

 president. Your Council have co-opted Mr. Lavens M. Ewart, 

 J.P., to fill the vacancy caused by the death of Mr. Murphy. 

 The Museum was opened on Easter Monday and Tuesday at 

 the usual nominal charge. Several novelties were displayed, 

 including some living Irish animals, and the attendance of 

 visitors exhibited a gratifying increase. Mr. Roberts, who was 

 appointed assistant-curator last autumn, having resigned in 

 April, Mr. R. Robinson has been taken on trial as his successor. 

 The Curator continues to discharge his duties with much 

 efficiency. A list of donations to the Museum, and of publica- 

 tions received in exchange from home and foreign societies will 

 be printed with the present report. Amongst the donations 

 may be specially noted the excellent portrait, in oil, of our 

 Curator, kindly presented by the artist, Miss S. M. Thompson, 

 and the interesting stone carvings from Saul Abbey given by 

 Mr. Douglas Lithgow. The Council desire to tender their best 



