TJie Presidenfs Address. 
63 
with the same features by which they have been characterised 
for several years past ; these scarcely meet the wants of the 
present day ; for instance : Papers read last December will 
not appear till the beginning of April, and I have not the 
advantage of their perusal in preparing this address ; I can- 
not but feel that as this Society increases in importance, 
some change in the publications must take place. There 
must be some more easily accessible channel of publication, 
so that the proceedings at one meeting may be read and 
thought over before the next meeting. Of what interest can 
many papers have four months old, excepting historical, 
or what influence can they exercise on many investigations 
which are varying from month to month — the history of the 
spectroscope last year in its early stages, for instance. Should 
even a slight addition to the expense of publication be in- 
curred, I think it would be amply compensated by the more 
general diffusion of the Society^s proceedings, and their far 
greater usefulness. I candidly confess I am not satisfied 
with the mode of publication at present, and feel certain that 
if the number of members of this Society increase, and 
particularly if we should become Fellows," that the officers 
of this Society must take such steps that quick publication 
of its proceedings under their own superintendence, un- 
trammelled by the present arrangements, will follow every 
meeting of the Society. 
It remains only for me to observe that we have skilful 
observers with increased and increasing optical power, and 
improved instruments generally; we have members who are 
careful analysers, as shown by our papers of this year. We 
have others who can delineate whatever they see. What may 
justly be expected from such men in advancing their chosen 
science ? 
It remains for us to assist and encourage young observers, 
to assure them that all criticism on their labour will be 
friendly, that our justice will be impartial. We want the 
co-operative assistance of numbers. Every eye that can 
see, every hand that can record or delineate, and every 
intellect that can arrange, combine, or analyse, may con- 
tribute to the results we seek ; and these results, it must be 
borne in mind, are intimately connected with the advance of 
Geology, of Mineralogy, of Palaeontology, of Physiology, 
indeed, of all the departments of Natural History. Our 
united efforts for success are necessary, and surely if we are 
united the result will be success. 
