13i 
The Presidents Address, 
papers^ as even if practicable^ the quality of such produc- 
tions under pressure would in all probability be of a very 
inferior character — it is to the members alone that we can 
look for such papers as are of general interest; the raw 
material, if I may so term it, in the shape of observations, 
exists in abundance, and requires simply recording upon 
paper to render it available as a source of much profit to all 
concerned. 
I cannot refrain from remarking, that in transmitting an 
article to the ' Journal ^ alone, one source of fruitfulness is 
entirely disregarded ; the mere reading of such in our society 
appears to communicate an impulse to the auditors to go 
and do likewise, which is further strengthened by discussion. 
But in order to obviate any inconvenience from the absence 
of communications at any of our future meetings, it has been 
decided by the Council, that at each one a special subject of 
discussion shall be announced from the chair, to be entered 
into at the following assemblage ; and thus it is hoped that 
those interested in the subjects selected, will have some 
inducement not only to attend and bear a part in such con- 
sideration, but also to collect such facts that fall in their 
way, or may be able to educe, as are in any way connected 
with it. 
Any papers that may be received will take precedence of 
the subject proposed ; but should there be no papers the dis- 
cussion will then be the special occupation of the evening. 
It is hoped that by this measure, not only will an awk- 
ward hiatus be avoided, but that the various suggestions 
thrown out will tend of themselves to give rise to the pro- 
duction of more formal communications. 
Of the eleven original papers read at the various meetings 
the classification is as follows, viz. : 
On Animal Physiology ..... . 2 
On Botany and Vegetable Physiology . . .6 
On Manipulation and Microscopic Adjuncts . . 3 
11 
The two reports belong also to the latter class, and the 
paper alluded to as a repetition may be classed with the first 
named, making in all a total of 14. 
I may also mention that in one of the papers classed 
amongst the botanical, certain speculations relative to geo- 
logical science are included. 
Of these relating to Animal Physiology, the first in order 
was from the pen of Mr. Bowerbank, " On the structure 
