408 
Proceedings of the Royal Society 
BUSINESS. 
Professor Turner reported that in accordance with the remit 
made by the Society at last Ordinary Meeting, the Council recom- 
mended the following changes in the Laws of the Society : — 
“ That Law XYII he cancelled, and the following Law he 
established in its place : — 
LAW XYII. 
“ That there shall he formed a Council consisting, first, of such 
gentlemen as may have filled the office of President, and, secondly 
of the following to he annually elected, viz., a President, six 
Yice-Presidents (two at least of whom shall he resident), twelve 
Ordinary Fellows as Councillors, a General Secretary, two 
Secretaries to the Ordinary Meetings, a Treasurer, and a Curator 
of the Museum and Library.” 
That the following addition he made to Law XY. : — 
“ The Council shall have power to regulate the private business 
of the Society. At any Meeting of the Council the Chairman shall 
have a casting as well as a deliberative vote.” 
Professor Turner moved, and Mr Sang seconded the adoption of 
these recommendations, which were agreed to. 
The following Minute, prepared by the Committee appointed for 
the purpose by the Society at the General Statutory Meeting, was 
read and approved December 1, 1879. The Secretary was directed 
to send an extract to Dr Balfour : — 
“ The Members of the Eoyal Society of Edinburgh most cordially 
unite with the Council in acknowledging the long and valued 
services of Dr Balfour as General Secretary of the Society; they 
desire, as a body, to express how deeply they regret the loss of these 
services; arid whilst sympathising with him in the circumstances 
which have led to the resignation of the office he has so long held 
in the Society, they would cherish the hope that he may enjoy in 
his retirement that serene repose which the consciousness of a well- 
spent life is fitted to insure.” 
The following letter in reply was now read : — 
“ Dear Professor Tait, — I feel highly honoured by the kind 
recognition, by the Fellows of the Eoyal Society, of my long 
