S E S S I O N 1881-82. 
November 24th, 1881. 
James G-eikie, Esq., LL.D., F.E.S., President, in the 
Chair. 
NEW MEMBERS. 
The following were nominated for election as members : — 
Dr Simpson ; the Rev. Mr Dickie; the Rev. Mr Dodd 5 
Mr D. Galloway, Yinebank, Kinnoull; Mr Paul Darling, 
Elcho; Mr George Pitcaithly and Miss Pitcaithly, Elcho; 
Mr James Gaudie, Postal Telegraph Office; Mr John G. 
Millais, Marlborough; Mr Hugh Crawford, Moneydie; 
the Rev. John Ferguson, Aberdalgie; the Rev. Canon 
Hodson, South Methven Street; Mr James Milne, M.A., 
teacher, Dunkeld; Mr J. Scott, General Prison; Mr 
Alexander Jamieson, Barossa Place; Mr James Stewart, 
L.D.S., Princes Street; Mr James Sime, 292 High 
Street; Mr James Fenton, Burnside, Craigie; Mr William 
Bruce Gowans, St Leonard Bank; Mr Charles S. Whittet, 
Barossa Place; the Rev. Andrew Benvie, Scone; Mr 
James Brebner, Dundee; and Mr Alexander Westwood, 
Princes Street. 
Dr Buchanan White exhibited the following:—!. 
Specimens of cones of the common larch, sent by Mr C. 
Macintosh, Inver. These specimens shewed what was 
termed prolifieation of the inflorescence, and were of 
value as proving that the cone was a modified 
branch, and the scales modified leaves. This monstrosity 
is not of rare occurrence. 2. Specimens of a fungus, 
Corticium amorphum, which he discovered, for the first 
time in Britain, on Kinnoull Hill, a few years ago. It 
grows on dead branches of silver fir. The specimen 
shown was the finest that had been yet found. He ex¬ 
plained the microscopic structure, which was very remark¬ 
able. 3. Specimen of another fungus, Corticium comedens, 
not uncommon on dead branches. The structure of it was 
also described. 
Dr Buchanan White presented to the Society a peculiar 
piece of rock, which had been found in the quarry at Barn¬ 
hill, and asked the chairman to describe it. 
The Chairman explained that the rock was composed 
chiefly of carbonate of lime, with pieces of volcanic rock 
scattered through it, and had been formed in the crack of 
a rock by water depositing carbonate of lime. 
Mr John Young presented a fine specimen of Lepido- 
dendron. 
Mr Magnus Jackson presented the Society with a 
framed photograph of the members, taken at one of the 
excursion parties. 
There were a large number of other donations (zoological, 
botanical, and geological), but notice of them was reserved 
for a future occasion, when they will be laid on the table. 
“ PROCEEDINGS.” 
Volume I.—Part I. of the “Proceedings” of the Society 
was laid on the table. 
the annual dinner. 
It was announced that the annual dinner would take 
place on December 16th. 
The following papers were read :— 
1. “ The Annals of the Society from its Foundation to the 
Present Time.” By Dr Buchanan White, F.L.S. 
When in 1867 a few students and lovers of natural history met 
in a hack room in Charlotte Street aud founded the Perthshire 
Society of Natural Science, there was none bold enough to 
prophesy that in less than fifteen years the Society would meet 
in a handsome and commodious building of its own. That such 
might come about after very many years had passed away was 
perhaps contemplated by the most sanguine of the founders, 
but even his ambition could scarcely anticipate the event which 
ought to make this meeting ever memorable in the history of 
the Society. It seems, therefore, but fitting that part of this 
the first meeting in our new home should be devoted to a review 
of the past, whereby we may not only see in what points we 
have been successful in carrying out the objects of the Society, 
but, what is more important, discover in what matters, and 
how, we have failed. Thus shall the shortcomings of the past 
conduce to the successes of the future. 
The Society was founded on the 28th of February, 1S67, by 
fifteen gentlemen desirous of promoting in Perth the practical 
study of natural history “ by the exhibition and preservation of 
specimens, the reading of communications, by lectures, excur¬ 
sions, and the formation of a Library and Museum.” How far 
