6 Annual Meeting. 



may be re-introduced, as it is one of great importance 

 both to scientific men and to the general public. The paper of 

 Mr. Maxton on a submerged bridge between Ireland and 

 Scotland was also highly interesting. Many people thought at 

 the time that the idea was chimerical, but I notice that since 

 the paper was read Sir E. J. Reed, formerly chief constructor to 

 the navy, has taken out a patent for a somewhat similar plan. 

 There may be variations of course in Sir E. J. Reed's idea 

 from that described by Mr. Maxton, but anyhow the idea is a 

 submerged bridge. This goes strongly to show that Mr. 

 Maxton's proposition is not so impracticable as it is deemed 

 by some, because, when a man of Sir E. J. Reed's position and 

 eminence thinks it worth while to patent such a plan there 

 must be something in it. Whether such a contrivance can 

 ever be utilised for the conveyance of passengers is, of course, 

 a doubtful question ; but even if it cannot, it seems quite 

 possible, as it certainly is very desirable, that it may be used 

 for the carriage of letters and parcels. It must be gratifying to 

 the members of the Society to know that the public are taking a 

 lively interest in our proceedings, and that our shares, which 

 at one time were unsaleable, could now be placed with ease — in 

 fact, we could place twice as many as are available for 

 transfer. So long as the Council continues to give good value 

 in the public lectures, and so long as the members themselves 

 read interesting papers at the ordinary public meetings, the 

 popularity of the Society will go on increasing. It has been 

 suggested that the Lecture Room should be improved, and that 

 suggestion is worthy of consideration. The Lecture Room 

 is no doubt too small, and it might be enlarged with benefit 

 to the Society. It must be remembered, however, that we 

 are not a dividend-paying Society, and though, if we 

 enlarge the room, we may be in a position to make money 

 by letting it, we shall still be unable to return a dividend to 

 our members. If, however, we can possibly enlarge the 

 room it will be a very great advantage in connection with 

 our ordinary meetings and lectures. At any rate, improve- 



