No. 5.— 1850.] PROCEEDINGS, 1850. 



337 



It appeared at the same time that other bodies at a distance had 

 a right to expect from them as a local Society to institute a full 

 and searching investigation into all the circumstances connected 

 with a question of so great scientific importance, and the Com- 

 mittee were accordingly requested to take the matter into their 

 special consideration, to invite communications from the native 

 gentlemen and others on the subject, and, if possible, to make a 

 local examination of the rock at Kurunegala, to procure speci- 

 mens from it for the Museum, and to report on their proceedings 

 to the Society. 



The Treasurer having reported a want of some instruments 

 required to complete the Meteorological Registers furnished to 

 them from outstations, it was resolved that a sum not exceeding 

 £5 be placed at the disposal of the Committee for the purchase 

 of them. 



C. P. Layard, Esq., was proposed by J. O'Halloran, Esq., 

 seconded by Dr. Willisford, and unanimously elected a Member 

 of the Society. 



The Special General Meeting then resolved itself into the 



Anniversary Meeting, 



The Rev. D. J. Gogerly retaining the chair. 



The Report of the Committee of Management for the past year 

 was then read by the Secretary. 



Report. 



In taking a retrospect of the labours of the Society during the 

 past year, your Committee regard with satisfaction the progress 

 which it has made within that period ; and they look with the 

 strongest confidence to the future, when they reflect that the 

 same steady advances have attended it throughout the whole of 

 its career, unabated even during the season of unexampled 

 depression and distress which not long since pervaded the whole 

 of the civilised world. 



Since the last Anniversary Meeting 20 new Members have 

 been admitted, and one Member re-admitted on his return from 

 England, while the zeal and activity evinced by the Members at 

 outstations, who have poured in contributions so largely to the 

 Society s Museum that your Committee have been called on three 

 times to extend the accommodation at its disposal for their 

 reception. 



Large contributions have also been made by persons wholly 

 unconnected with the Society ; nor can your Committee fail to 

 recognise in this circumstance an earnest of the interest which a 

 portion at least of the public take in its proceedings. A list of 

 the contributions will be found appended. 



