9 
to the society to purchase a specimen of a rare bird (Apteryx) for 
the Museum. Mr. Leipner gave a short account of this bird, and 
the recommendation of the Council was adopted. Mr. Moore of 
Bath then read a paper entitled '^Eesults of a geological ramble to 
Patch way," illustrated with specimens. On the same evening, 
Mr. Collens exhibited an improved Burette for the purpose of 
volumetric analysis, which obtained the approval of several geD tie - 
men experienced in that department of practical chemistry. 
On March, the 3rd, a numerous attendance of members and 
visitors demonstrated the increasing attraction of the society's 
meeting. The new purchase (a fine specimen of Apteryx) was 
exhibited, after which Mr. Stoddart displayed a series of illumina- 
ted photographs of objects illustrating the natural history of our 
locality, and described the objects exhibited in his account of A 
Naturalist's walk." 
The concluding meeting of the winter -session was occupied by 
Mr. William Lant Carpenter's descriptive account of the material 
called "waterglass," used in modern fresco painting, with a detailed 
analysis of a specimen of the material used for the decoration of the 
new houses of parliament. Mr. Chas. 0. Groom read a paper on the 
"nidification of a few birds that breed in Britain." 
This cursory notice of the many interesting excursions and 
meetings of the society during the past year, may suffice to give a 
general and connected view of its scientific transactions. The 
details having been rendered familiar to all our members by the 
regularly printed abstracts, do not require to be further dwelt on. 
Your Council cannot however refrain from pointing with the liveliest 
satisfaction to these evidences of sound and steady advance to a high, 
scientific position, which must be a matter of earnest congratulation 
to all concerned. 
They feel, moreover, that the society may now take another and 
very important step in its onward career, and to this they would beg 
to direct especial attention. 
In the April meeting of this year, your Hon. Secretary expressed 
