PROCEEDINGS—PERTHSHIRE SOCIETY OF NATURAL SCIENCE. XXXI 
Perth now than there was a few years ago, and of which in a great 
measure this building is the centre, I think the question must be 
answered in the affirmative. To the other question I think we can 
also answer yes. Our Museum, especially by the plan on which it is 
arranged, is an educational force in itself, and we are happy to think 
that so many of our fellow-citizens use it either for instruction or 
pleasure. We may claim too that our lectures and our library assist 
in the good work, and that as regards our meetings the average 
attendance is increasing. It is impossible to say definitely what 
influence the meetings and excursions have on scientific education, 
but this we do know, that the number of practical students of Natural 
Science is increasing in Perth. So much for our work. A word as 
to the facilities and encouragement given to other educational move¬ 
ments. The most important of these is the recently founded Perth 
University Education Society, whose successful career, I think, we 
can honestly claim to have had a share in promoting, or at least we 
have been able to give that association facilities which it would not 
otherwise have had. This we have done in our capacity as a Society; 
as individual members of the Society many of us have taken a still 
more active part. 
As in a way promoting the work of other bodies I may mention 
the use of our lecture room by the Perthshire Medical Association 
and the Literary Branch of the Royal Horticultural Society of Perth¬ 
shire. Thus has been in a measure fulfilled Sir T. Moncreifle’s idea, 
that the Society’s building would become a centre for the promotion 
of various kinds of education. 
In considering our present position I might touch upon other- 
subjects, such as, for example, the Union of the East of Scotland 
Naturalists’ Societies, in which we had no little share, but I think 
I have said enough just now. 
As for the future I need say little beyond this, that we must not 
remain content, but strive to do more. The lesson of the past has 
been that steady perseverance in our objects has been crowned with 
success, and that, moreover, as we go on, there is a gradual—and, in 
many cases, unforeseen—development in our aims. What, therefore, 
we should aim at in the future—beyond the increase of our Museum 
space, and consequent increase of our educational powers—the future 
will disclose. Let us hope that when our jubilee year comes there 
will be as good an account to render of our stewardship as has been 
given on the day of our majority. 
12th April, 1888. 
F. Buchanan White, M.D., F.L.S., F.E.S., President, in the Chain 
Andrew Hill was elected an Ordinary Member. 
The following donations were intimated :— 
Museum—Perthshire Collection .—Perthshjre Lepidoptera—from 
Mr. S. T. Ellison. Nest of the Long-tailed Tit—from Mr. C. L„ 
