1878.] 9 [Annual Meeting. 
twenty lectures upon the Principles of Systematic Botany, 
was given by Prof. Geo. L. Goodale, of Harvard University. 
Printed synopses of the lectures were placed in the hands of 
the teachers as aids in taking notes, and nearly all the 
large orders mentioned in the synopses were illustrated by 
specimens or diagrams. All the teachers were also provided 
with dried and named specimens of native plants suitable for 
private herbaria. . 
About one hundred and fifty sets of plants were distrib- 
uted during the course, and much of the remaining material 
Was consumed in practical exercises in analysis. The aver- 
age attendance was greater than last year, being about 120. 
Report oF Mr. Burcess, SECRETARY. 
The condition. and year’s work of the departments under 
the charge of the Secretary need little comment in addition 
to the statistics which follow. While these certainly show 
a satisfactory state of health and development, in many re- 
spects, it will be at the same time evident what should and 
could be done had we only the necessary means for its 
accomplishment. © 
LIBRARY. 
The past annual reports have shown a regular increase in 
the use and consequent value of our library. During the 
past year 1066 volumes have been borrowed by 132 persons. 
These figures, of course, do not show the number of books 
used within the Library, nor the whole number of persons 
enjoying its privileges. 
The growth of the Library is very constant ; in the pres- 
ent case the number of additions amounts to 1656, a slight 
excess over the figures of last year. It should be reméem- 
bered that a very large proportion of these additions is ob- 
