xiv 



PROCEEDINGS OF THE 



that of any other institution of the kind. The average of the age 

 of our deceased fellows during this period is nearly 70 years, and 

 of the term of fellowship not far from 34 years ; and amongst 

 those of whom we have been deprived are some who stand pro- 

 minently forward in both these respects, more than one having 

 numbered between ninety and a hundred years of life, and upwards of 

 sixty of membership. Still the mortality goes on, and, year after 

 year, those who, like myself, have grown old in connexion with the 

 Society, see one after another of our old companions in the field 

 of scientific labour and enjoyment, falling off from our side and 

 beckoning to us to follow. In the brief space of eight years what 

 a company of our old friends and associates have been removed 

 from us ! It is a brilliant but a sad array : Jameson, Newport, 

 Stokes, Wallich, De la Beche, Edward Forbes, Greenough, Greorge 

 Sowerby, Dillwyn, John Reeves, Swainson, Buckland, Pepys, Tar- 

 rell, Royle, Broderip, Robert Brown, Richard Taylor, Dawson 

 Turner, Henfrey, Horsfield and Spence, Bracy Clark, Hamilton 

 Smith, and now, within a fortnight, Fitton and Henslow. From 

 our foreign list we miss the honoured names of Adrien de Jussieu, 

 of Charles Bonaparte, of Lichtenstein and Miiller, Nees von Esen- 

 beck, Bonpland, Temminck, Humboldt, Agardh, and the veteran 

 Dumeril. 



Turning from the mournful impression which this enumeration 

 must leave upon our minds, let us dwell for one moment on the 

 other side of the subject, and whilst we gratefully acknowledge 

 the accession of many younger members who have already at- 

 tained deserved eminence, or who are advancing in the same 

 road to honourable fame and distinction, let us look around 

 amongst the fast-increasing numbers of the students of natural 

 science who have not yet joined our ranks, and enlist them under 

 our banner, to fill the places of those whose honoured names I 

 have recited, that not only in numbers but in scientific status the 

 Linnean Society may still maintain its high character. 



The changes which have recently taken place with reference to 

 the promotion of the study of Natural Science in the University 

 of Oxford are so important, that I must be allowed to occupy a 

 few moments of your time in a passing allusion to them. 



In tin- vear L855 1 look occasion to refer to the transition state 

 which these studies were then undergoing at that great school of 

 learning The sum of JW(),000 was to he set apart lor the build- 

 ing of a Museum. Collection! of great Importance were either 



