PROCEEDINGS—PERTHSHIRE SOCIETY OF NATURAL SCIENCE. CXXXVll 
years of starvation, when the additions were few and far between, but 
about a year ago—thanks to the generous friends who, according to 
their various abilities, have so often helped us—we were enabled to 
add very considerably to the number of our books. Now we have 
a Library of works relating to Natural Science which is probably 
much superior to any in Scotland outside of a university town. It is 
not yet, however, as complete as it might be, and the Society ought 
never to lose sight of the importance of keeping it up to date. 
In the retrospect which was given in 1881 there was a short 
account of the publications of the Society. It was pointed out that 
in 1871 we were bold enough to start a Quarterly Magazine—the 
Scottish Naturalist. This we retained in our own hands till 1878, 
when it was made over to Messrs. Blackwood & Sons, but still under 
the same editorship. In 1883, after having ceased to appear for a 
few months, the Magazine began a new career in the hands of Messrs. 
Cowan & Co. This year has seen a new development of it and a 
change of owners and name, its title being now “ The Annals of 
Scottish Natural History under which designation we trust it may 
have a long and prosperous existence. In 1881 we began to publish 
an annual part of our “ Proceedings Of these “ Proceedings ” six 
parts were published, bringing us down to 1886. Since this publi¬ 
cation was merely—to a great extent—a reprint of the newspaper 
reports of our meetings, it was found to be not altogether satisfactory, 
so in 1887 we started “ The Transactions and Proceedings ,” which 
have since been published annually. 
I need continue this retrospect no further. Enough has, I think, 
been said to show that in the 25 years of our existence we have been 
able to do something, however little, for the advancement of that 
science in whose name we are banded together. Let us trust that 
the next 25 years will be even more prolific ! 
And now, in retiring from that position which I have had the 
honour to hold so long, may I be permitted to tender my personal 
thanks to the various officers who have so heartily co-operated with 
me in conducting—I think not unsuccessfully—the business of the 
Society. When all have worked so well, it would be invidious to 
select for special mention any past or present member of the execu¬ 
tive. An exception must, however, be made in favour of those who 
have held an office, on the proper discharge of whose duties, more than 
anything else, the well-being of a Society depends. During my last 
tenure of the Presidentship there have been two Secretaries—Mr. 
John Young and Mr. S. T. Ellison,—and I think that no member 
knows so well as I do the extent to which the Society is indebted 
to the labours of these gentlemen. 
I have finally to thank the Council for the honour done to me in 
pressing me to retain the Presidential Chair. As, however, I have 
had the privilege of presiding over your meetings for 13 years, and 
have held, moreover, the office of Secretary for 2 years, and of Editor 
for 10, I felt that, apart from personal considerations, it might conduce 
to the welfare of the Society to have a new occupant of the chair. 
All that remains for me to do now is to introduce to you your 
new President, and to congratulate you on having found one who, 
