116 Meetings, 188§. 



Hamilton, of Leamington Spa, and is historically as well 

 as scientifically interesting, inasmuch as it was orginally formed 

 by the celebrated James Watt, the inventor of the steam engine, 

 with whom Mr. Hamilton was at one time connected in 

 scientific pursuits. This collection fills a large number of 

 cabinets, and is now in course of examination. 



I can also warmly congratulate the Society upon having had 

 the privilege and pleasure of listening to some of Mr. Sinel's 

 admirable and instructive lectures. The beautiful preparations 

 by which they were illustrated, and his very graphic sketches 

 on the blackboard, rendered it a perfect pleasure, as well as an 

 intellectual treat to listen to them. It has been said by a 

 certain writer that " gratitude is a lively sense of benefits to 

 come." Perhaps it is frequently so, but be this as it may, I 

 think we cannot be charged with any undue selfishness, if in 

 recording our indebtedness to Mr. Sinel for his very charming 

 descriptions and delineations, we express a hope that we shall, 

 not unfrequently in the future, be favoured with further 

 prelections of the same lucid and admirable character. 



Another matter for mutual congratulation is the publica- 

 tion, this year, of the first volume of the Society's transactions, 

 commencing with 1882. The volume contains the results of 

 much painstaking and intelligent research, and now places 

 these results within the reach of all, who care to avail themselves 

 of them. The identification of various local species, and the 

 careful revision and verification of the local lists of flowering 

 plants, ferns, &c, published many years ago by Professor 

 Babington and Professor Ansted, cannot but prove of great 

 value and interest to future botanists. This work of verification 

 has been chiefly carried out by Mr. George Derrick, who 

 deserves our warmest thanks for his labours. Mr. Luff has 

 also contributed a valuable paper on the moths and butterflies 

 of the locality, besides giving, from time to time, various other 

 interesting entomological notes. The Society is also much 

 indebted to Mr. Adolphus Collenette, Mr. Marquand, Mr, J* B. 



