Presideni^s Address. 
305 
On the motion of Mr Alexander Bryson, seconded by Dr 
M'Bain, a cordial vote of thanks was unanimously given to 
Dr T. S. Wright for his valuable services as President of the 
Society, and for his learned and beautiful opening address. 
Mr Bryson then called the attention of the Society to the 
value of recording facts, however trivial they might seem, 
and reminded the fellows that the discovery made by their 
distinguished member, Mr Peach, and communicated to this 
Society, of goniatites and other shells, near Durness, had 
induced Sir Eoderick Murchison to remodel his strategra- 
phical arrangement of the rocks of Scotland. 
Dr* M^Bain said that he was present when the first fossils 
from Durness were shown to the Eoyal Physical Society, 
and that the late Hugh Miller then considered them to be- 
long to the Old Bed Sandstone. At the same time, Mr 
Miller observed that other fossils, in a more perfect state of 
preservation, would probably be found in the same locality, 
that would enable geologists to decide what formation they 
belonged to. Dr M'Bain also remarked that simple facts 
might lead to important results in applied science as well as 
in the higher generalisations ; and stated an instance within 
his own knowledge, to which the President had incidentally 
referred, of the application of Melloni's thermo-electric 
thermometer, by their distinguished member, Mr A. Bryson, 
to the detection of icebergs at sea, which might ultimately 
be the means of saving an incalculable amount of life and 
property. 
Dr Wright then proceeded with a Keport on the anatomy 
of the Hydroidce. 
by canuon — ^booming for a great and peaceful victory. A true and noble man 
liatli laid aside his titles, and honours, and power ; and hath passed from the 
uncertain and turbulent shadows of this world, to the serene light of the 
eternal day. Gentle, and wise, and good, — earnest in the work of the pre- 
sent, — he was of those who, standing on the mountain tops, gaze wistfully 
on the brightening dawn of the future. " Nobody,'' saith lie, who, being- 
dead yet solemnly speaketh — " Nobody who has paid any attention to the peculiar 
features of our present era, will doubt for a moment, that we are living at a period of 
most wonderful transition, which tends rapidly to accomplish that great end to which, 
indeed, all history points — the kealisation of the unity of mankind." 
(Speech of the Prince-Consort at the Lord Mayor's Banquet, 1850.) 
