44 



Anniversary Meeting. 



[Nov. 30, 



Forces. Mr. G. H. Darwin continues his already classical memoirs 

 on the mechanical history of the solar system ; and Captain Abney 

 has opened out to view, by photographic means of his own invention, 

 a part of the spectrum of the snn and of other bodies, beyond the red, 

 hitherto invisible ; and last, but not least, Professor Tyndall in his 

 Bakerian Lecture has given an account of his researches on the 

 action of free Molecules on Radiant Heat, and its Conversion thereby 

 into Sound. In Biology, I may mention the investigations of 

 Mr. Romanes on nerve systems ; those of Professor Ferrier on the 

 connexion between special portions of the brain and special motor 

 organs of the animal system ; those of Mr. Parker on the Skull of the 

 Batrachia, and of Professor W. C. Williamson on the fossil plants of 

 the Coal-measures. Among the newer subjects, the experiments of 

 Dr. Young and Professor George Forbes on the velocity of light of 

 different colours have naturally arrested considerable attention, for 

 several reasons and especially becanse the conclnsions thence deduced, 

 if ultimately established, would fundamentally modify our views of 

 the constitution of the luminiferous ether. 



For several years past I have been able with much satisfaction to 

 report that there had been no change in the staff of officers of the 

 Society. I much wish that I could have done so again. But the 

 longer a capable man lives and is available, the more will work accu- 

 mulate on his hands ; and the time at last comes when something 

 must be given up, lest, in the multiplication of avocations, powers 

 which might otherwise have been devoted to some great and 

 good purpose, and on operations not within the grasp of everyone, 

 should become dissipated among a variety of objects. A feeling that 

 life must not be spent merely in running hither and thither, and a 

 desire that it should be something better than a mere feat of mental 

 agility exhibited in passing rapidly from one occupation to another, 

 doubtless operated in leading Sir Joseph Hooker to resign the Presi- 

 dentship ; and a similar feeling has recently led to the resignation of 

 the Secretaryship by Professor Huxley. That this loss is great will be 

 felt by every Fellow of the Society ; it will be more keenly felt by his 

 brother Secretaries and the Treasurer, but most of all by your President. 

 Connected as I have been with him through a series of years by ties 

 of office in the Society, by bonds of friendship and trust as thorough 

 as can exist between man and man, I cannot but miss for a long time 

 to come his ever willing support, his sound counsel and advice, and 

 the cheery manfulness with which he would always address himself to 

 any business however difficult, uninviting, or heavy. 



The post is one which it is not easy to fill. Many qualifications go to 

 make up a good Secretary ; and although none of us so " despaired of 

 the republic " as to doubt that a good successor would be found, we 

 still felt some anxiety until we were in a position confidently to 



