xlii Transactions of the South African Philosophical Society. 



EEPOET OF THE SECEETAEY FOE THE YEAE 



1896-97. 



Since the last annual meeting ten ordinary meetings have been 

 held, with an average attendance of sixteen members. Three 

 papers and numerous notes have been read on botany, zoology, 

 geology, and anthropology. They will duly appear in the Trans- 

 actions of the Society for the year 1896-7. During the year 

 seventeen ordinary members have been elected, and also two 

 honorary members, one has resigned, and the Society has lost one 

 member by death. The total number of ordinary members is 100. 

 The number of books and pamphlets received is greater than that 

 of last year, owing to the generous presentation of the Proceedings 

 of the Philosophical Society of Glasgow, from vol. vii. to xxvi. ; and 

 of the Proceedings of the Royal Society of Edinburgh, from vol. x. 

 to xxi. inclusive. The trustees of the South African Library have 

 agreed to take charge of the library of the Society as soon as they 

 enter into possession of the wing formerly occupied by the museum, 

 and a slip catalogue will probably be made. A beginning has also 

 been made in compiling tables of contents of the Society's publica- 

 tions from vol. i. to x., inclusive. Part ii. of vol. vii. (523 pp., 28 

 plates) has been distributed to members during the year ; proofs of 

 vol. ix., part i. (76 pp.), and vol. x., part i. (128 pp. and 4 plates), 

 have been corrected, and are expected soon ; while part ii. of vol. ix. 

 is at the printers, and I hope to have that part completed and in 

 the hands of the members towards the end of the present year. 



The financial statement shows a balance in hand of £316 7s. 5d. 

 for the half-year ending June 30th. 



L. Peeinguey, General Secretary. 



