X 
SECEETAEIES' REPORT. 
numbers at present being 58 members, 64 associates, and three 
junior associates. 
At the anniversary meeting papers were read by Mr. J. Shelly 
on ''Mr. Ellis's System of Glossic Writing," and by Mr. George 
Jackson on ''Epidemics." 
The Conversazione was very successful. The hall was gracefully 
decorated with paintings and water colours, under the superin- 
tendence of the Curator of the Eine Arts, who contributed some 
pleasing landscapes from his own studio ; and a careful selection 
of music was performed by some of the members. 
In August last the British Medical Association held their annual 
meeting in this town, and some of tlie members accepted the 
invitation of this Society, and accompanied us on an excursion on 
the 12th of the month. Our party, including many ladies, started 
from Tavistock, and proceeded to Two Bridges, halting near Mer- 
rivale Bridge, on the Walkham river, to afford an opportunity of 
inspecting the famous old British village situate near the spot. 
Erom Two Bridges many walked to Wistman's Wood, the party 
reassembling at Prince Town, where some visited the convict 
establishment. On leaving Prince Town the road was taken to 
Lee Moor, where we were very kindly entertained by Mr. Martin, 
to whom the thanks of the Society are due for his generous hos- 
pitality. We then returned by way of Plympton, having enjoyed 
beautiful weather, which completed the bright pleasure of a day 
likely to be remembered with satisfaction by all present. 
The Librarian reports as follows : 
"The Curator of the Library in presenting his Eeport to the 
members of the Plymouth Institution has to state that during the 
past year considerable improvement has been effected in the Library 
by the fixing of a stove, in accordance with a suggestion in his last 
Eeport, and the putting up of some new book-shelves, similar in 
pattern to others in the room, in the space until very recently 
occupied by two old-fashioned and inconvenient cases. 
' ' As regards the books many volumes have been bound up, mostly 
belonging either to sets of serials subscribed for by the Society, or 
to the 'Transactions' of such learned societies as exchange J:hcir 
own Reports for those of the Institution. 
" The British Association have kindly forwarded their Report for 
1870; the Zoological Society four parts of their 'Proceedings;' 
