CXVlii PROCEEDINGS OF THE GEOLOGICAL SOCIETY. [May 1 896, 



now occupy the stage associated with the Tracheata proper, and the 

 King-crabs and Scorpions, which latter, like the Ostracoda and 

 Phyllopoda, are survivals from a pre-Silurian age. 



Truly— 



' The old order changeth, yielding place to new.' 



My task is ended, and it now only remains my duty to efface 

 myself officially, but before doing so I should like to express to 

 the Council and Officers, and to the Fellows generally, my grateful 

 sense of the honour which they conferred upon me when they placed 

 me in this chair, and for the generous support and friendly for- 

 bearance which they have extended towards me in the performance 

 of my duties. In this matter I cannot fail to recall how greatly I 

 am indebted to the Secretaries and Treasurer, for the valuable 

 assistance and advice which I have at all times received from them 

 and from the permanent staff of the Society, without w T hose aid I 

 could never have carried on the work devolving upon me. 



In resigning the Presidential chair to my esteemed friend and 

 successor, Dr. Henry Hicks, F.R.S., I feel that he is neither a 

 stranger among us, nor inexperienced, for he has served as your 

 Secretary for three years (1890-91-92), and has moreover had 

 many years' experience on the Council of this Society. 



May he thoroughly enjoy, as I have done, the two chief 

 pleasures of office — that of taking the chair and that of resigning it. 

 Farewell. 



