X 
SECEETAEIES' REPORT. 
The attendance has been larger than usual throughout the 
Session; it has averaged rather more than 88 persons for each 
evening, not including the evening of the Conversazione. Last 
Session the average was 71, and the Session previous 68. 
The debates have varied in interest with the subjects brought 
under discussion, but will bear comparison with former years. 
All the appointments made in the first half of the Session were 
fulfilled as arranged on the card. Since Christmas, from various 
causes, several changes were necessary both in time and lecturer, 
and your Society is greatly indebted to Dr. Albert Kingston and 
the Bev. T. W. Freckelton for efficient help most readily and 
kindly rendered in supplying vacancies. 
Thirty new Members and Associates have joined the Society 
during the year, which now includes 54 Members, 66 Associates, 
and 6 Junior Associates. 
The weekly Journal of the Society, which was commenced last 
year, has been continued this year, and being appended to this 
Eeport, renders it almost unnecessary for your Secretaries to give 
any further details of the proceedings of the Session. 
The Anniversary Meeting was held on May 1st as usual, at 
which Dr. Hoarder exhibited some very interesting experiments 
with a new electrical machine which he has called the "Fulgu- 
rator," by which an electric spark of extraordinary length and 
intensity may be obtained. An account of its construction and 
capabilities are given in the Journal. 
The Conversazione was held at the commencement of the Christ- 
mas Session. The Hall was decorated with paintings in oils and 
water-colours, some of which were commended very highly by 
connoisseurs. The attendance was large, and a very pleasant 
evening was spent, the Society being indebted to some of its own 
Members and their friends for choice selections of instrumental and 
vocal music, which were much appreciated. 
Your zealous and efficient Librarian has continued his services 
in the Library, and thus reports : 
''The Librarian reports that during the past year many volumes 
have been bound up and added to the works on the shelves, and 
that for several of them the Members of the Plymouth Institution 
have to thank various learned and scientific societies. To the 
Zoological Society of London they are greatly indebted; for not 
