PROCEEDINGS OF THE PERTHSHIRE SOCIETY OF NATURAL SCIENCE. 
95 
Colonel H. M. Drummond Hay, C.M.Z.S., of Seggieden, 
Curator. 
James Coates, Esq., Librarian. 
F. Buchanan White, Esq., M.D., F.L.S., Editor. 
P. D. Malloch, Esq. -I 
John Campbell, Esq. > Councillors. 
A. Sturrock, Esq., Rattray. 
The thanks of the meeting were, on the motion of Bailie 
Gow, seconded by the Rev. Mr Young, awarded to the 
Executive for their labours during the past year. 
The President then delivered his Annual Address, as 
follows:— 
It being the established custom, at this particular 
meeting, for the President to give his annual address, 
I take this opportunity of now publicly acknowledging 
my thanks for the honour you have done me in again 
electing me as your President. Since I last had 
the honour of addressing you in that same position, in a 
far humbler building than the one we now occupy, nine 
years have elapsed ; and during that interval much has 
been done for the advancement of the Society, and that, in 
a very great measure, owing to the untiring interest and 
energy displayed by both the very able Presidents who 
succeeded me, the late Sir Thomas Moncreiffe and Dr 
Geikie. In mentioning the name of the late Sir Thomas 
Moncreiffe, I need hardly repeat what is so well known to 
you all, that had it not been for his great exertions, in all 
probability we should never have been the possessors of 
the handsome and commodious building in which we are 
now assembled, and which is most appropriately associated 
with his name. It is not only in this respect that his 
memory is dear to us, but also from the recollections of 
the geniality and heartiness with which he invariably con¬ 
ducted all work in connection with the Society. Coming, 
therefore, in direct succession to the two gentlemen I 
have just named,—the latter, from his researches in 
geology, and great attainments in other scientific subjects, 
being particularly adapted for the duties of President 
of a Society such as this,— I cannot but feel somewhat 
diffident in having to follow so immediately in their foot¬ 
steps; and I may say with confidence that the resignation of 
Dr Geikie, owing to his professional duties requiring his at¬ 
tendance elsewhere, will long be felt as a great loss to the 
Society; but, though not in office, still we trust we may 
aften have the pleasure of seeing him among us. 
But to proceed. From the reports we have just now heard, 
the Society may, I think, be congratulated on the general 
aspect of its affairs. The gradual increase of membership, 
and the desire which has been spontaneously expressed, in 
many cases from persons in the most distant parts of the 
county, for enrolment as members, is always a healthy 
sign, showing that our efforts are beginning to be appre¬ 
ciated throughout the county. Though young in years, 
and not yet out of its teens, the Society is continually in a 
state of progression, and every day becoming more de¬ 
veloped. There is, however, plenty of room for greater 
growth, and when the advantages of the Society become 
more fully known, there will, I trust, be a still larger in¬ 
crease of members, not only from the Fair City, but from 
the county also. The advantages to which I have 
alluded, are, the free use of the Library, containing a 
valuable and well-chosen selection of books, together with 
many of the leading scientific magazines and papers of the 
day, writing materials, and other requisites; the laboratory! 
microscopic classes, &c.; and the Museum, where any spare 
time may be profitably spent. These, in addition to the 
monthly meetings and the summer excursions, may, I think, 
be considered a good equivalent for the trifling amount of 
annual subscription levied. For the benefit of those who 
are not aware of the fact, it may be as well to add that 
though the Museum is not yet in a sufficiently forward 
state to be thrown open to the public, the building is open 
to members daily, Sunday excepted, from the hours of 
10 to 1 in the forenoon, and from 2 to 5 in the afternoon. 
I have brought this more prominently forward, as it must 
be remembered that the Society has an ever-increasing an¬ 
nual expenditure, and, as the admittance to the Museum is 
to be entirely free, this can only be met by a sufficiently 
large membership to carry it on. 
Now that I am on the subject of the Museum, I may 
again say, to prevent any confusion, though it has been 
repeatedly stated before, that it embraces two distinct 
departments. The first of these is the Typical or 
Index Collection, the purpose of which is to shew con¬ 
cisely, and yet plainly, the scheme of classification, 
adopted by naturalists, of the animal, vegetable, and 
mineral kingdoms. This is at present contained in the 
upper portions of the four large table cases, and it is hoped 
that when completed, any visitor will, by a careful study 
of the specimens and their explanatory labels, be able to 
form a fair idea of the classification adopted and the rela¬ 
tionships to each other of the various groups. Though well 
advanced, the Index Collection is not yet completed, but 
it is hoped that in the course of a few months, it will be in 
a state sufficiently perfect to fulfil the purpose for which it 
is intended. The other department of the Museum is the 
larger and more important; and, as it is restricted to illus¬ 
trating the natural history of Perthshire, may be called the 
