200 
PROCEEDINGS OF THE PERTHSHIRE SOCIETY OF NATURAL SCIENCE. 
the office of Honorary Secretary of XIr John Young, C.E. Mr 
Young was elected to the office in 1871, and has discharged its 
arduous duties during a critical period with untiring solicitude, 
and with great benefit to the Society. The very hearty thanks 
of the Society are due to Jlr Young for his valuable services. 
During the past year the Council have had pleasure in grant¬ 
ing the use of the Lectuie-Room to some other Associations for 
courses of lectures and meetings. 
The Council has held 8 meetings during the past session. 
In conclusion, it may be mentioned that Mr Hosack Cowan 
having been obliged from pressure cf other duties to resign his 
post as Janitor, the Council selected, out of a large number of 
applicants for the vacant situation, Mr James Wilson, who has 
given every satisfaction. 
REPORT OF THE CURATOR. 
By Colonel Drummond HAY. 
In giving in my report as Curator for the past year, I may 
state that a good deal has been done for the better display of 
the specimens, especially in the Perthshire and Tay district col¬ 
lections, and many additions made in the several sections. The 
Museum, as most of the members will recollect, was closed for 
a good part of the summer, during which time a series of new 
bird-cases were erected, extending along the side looking to¬ 
wards the river; while on the opposite side the cases for the 
Perthst.ire Forestry Department were also completed, leaving 
the south end of the hall entirely for mammals. This 
entailed the total re-arrangement of the birds as well as the 
mammals, giving space also for the nests, but only as a tempor¬ 
ary measure, as these will require very much more room. Con¬ 
sequently no attempt has been made as to any systematic ar¬ 
rangements, but the labelling, which will shortly be completed, 
will se far rectify this, by the numbering and reference to the 
birds in their several compartments, so as to enable the student 
to ascertain their regular classification. I think it proper here 
to mention that, notwithstanding the new cases which have 
been added, to complete the fauna of the district it will be 
requisite to increase the size of the Museum by an additional 
hall. This will be absolutely necessary to represent fully the 
Natural History of the district, the cases being even now iu many 
respects overcrowded. 
REPORT OF THE LIBRARIAN. 
By Mr JAMES COATES. 
Since last report about 80 volumes have been added to the 
Library through exchange, purchase, and presentation, the totals 
being now approximately 350 for the Lending and 170 for the 
Reference Library, making in all about 520 volumes. During the 
past year the number of members who have taken advantage of 
the Library has falleu off, being only 34, as against 46 during the 
previous year. This is to be regretted, as it was hoped that, 
with an increased membership, the Society would be able largely 
to extend the sphere of its usefulness in this direction as it is 
doing in others. In case there should be any misconception en 
the part of members, especially those recently elected, as to 
their privileges, it may be mentioned that any member not 
already provided can receive a library catalogue gratis on appli¬ 
cation to the Janitor, and the names of aU books added to the 
Library since that catalogue was issued wiU be found inscribed 
on the wall-board in the Library. There appears to be no reason 
why the number of readers should not be at least doubled, as 
there must be a large proportion of the members of the Society 
who, in their choice of literature, would be glad to combine 
scientific instruction with amusement if they once realised how 
easily this combination lay within their reach. 
REPORT OF THE EDITOR. 
By Mr Henry COATES. 
During the past session, the only publications issued by 
the Society were the fourth annual part of the “ Proceed¬ 
ings ” and a Guide to the Arrangement of the Museum. 
It is intended to supplement this guide in the course of 
time by issuing detailed catalogues of the various collec¬ 
tions. 
REPORT OF THE TREASURER. 
By Mr John Stewart. 
The income for the year amounted to £79 0s od, and 
the expenditure to £77 14s 5d, leaving a balance in the 
Treasurer’s hands of £1 6s. There is at present £30 11s 
8d of outstanding accounts due by the Society. To meet 
that sum there is about £6 of arrears of subscriptions and 
£11 6s in bank and on hand, so that the Society is ODly 
about £13 behind. It is anticipated that there will be a 
saving in expenditure of from £10 to £12 next year. 
On the motion of Mr R. Brown, Barnhill, seconded by Mr 
Andrew Coates, the reports were adopted; and on the 
motion of Mr G. Roy, Savings Bank, seconded by Mr 
Lumsden, Superintendent of Fisheries, a cordial vote of 
thanks was awarded to the retiring officebearers for their 
services during the year. 
ANNUAL PRESIDENTIAL ADDRESS. 
Dr Buchanan White delivered the following address:— 
Since the last occasion—thirteen years ago—on which I 
had the honour to fill the presidential chair at an annual 
meeting, the Society has passed through many and im¬ 
portant changes. To slightly alter the words of the old 
Roman I may exclaim that I left the Society brick, and 
find it marble! Then we met in obscure corners; now we 
have a building of which any Association might be proud. 
But at all times and under every circumstance the Society 
