_ THE PRESIDENTS ADDRESS. 189 
in the Biological Section, read a paper ‘‘On the Roses of the 
Neighbourhood of Plymouth.”’ On the fourth day, Aug. 20th, 
Dr. Merrifield, in the Mathematical Section, read a paper ‘‘ On the 
Meteorology of Plymouth,” and in the Mechanical Section, Mr. 
R. N. Worth, one on ‘‘ The Government Establishments of Plymouth 
and Neighbourhood.”’ Your late President (Rev. Professor Beal, 
B.A.), in the Biological Section, exhibited and described a Buddhist 
Figure, which he pronounced to be unique of its kind. Mr. C. Spence 
Bate described the ‘‘ Antiquities of Dartmoor,” in Section D. On 
the fifth day, Aug. 21st, in the Biological Section, Dr. W. H. Pearse 
read a paper ‘‘On the Geography of Consumption in Devon.” On the 
third day of the Meeting, Aug. 18th—a day devoted to Excursions 
of various kinds—our Institution was more directly identified with 
the Association by a Dredging Excursion conducted under our 
auspices. In reply to an application by your President, the Admiral 
Superintendent of the Devonport Dockyard courteously placed the 
steam-tug ‘‘ Perseverance”’ at our disposal. About sixty visitors 
accepted the invitation of the Committee, and under the guidance 
of Dr. Gwyn Jefferys, F.R.8., assisted by Mr. William Hearder, who 
kindly supplied the dredging apparatus, they steamed out of har- 
bour for the Melampus buoy. Here the dredge was set to work, 
and a most successful haul of various crustacea and sea-weeds was 
made; the experiment was repeated near Redding Point, and again 
in Whitsand Bay, with fair success. The hauling up of the dredge 
was a time of much excitement, and we understand that many of 
the specimens were of sufficient value to be taken away for pre- 
servation by those who were so fortunate as to secure them. 
But while thus hastily glancing at some of the incidents of a 
week that will not soon be forgotten by those who shared in its 
engagements, our interest naturally concentrates on the Inaugural 
Address of the President. This annually marks the last point of 
advance reached by the ever-rolling tide of scientific discovery, by 
a general survey of the various fields of science, or by a more 
special and exhaustive treatment of some particular section of it. 
The President of the year (Dr. Allen Thompson, rF.nr.s.) chose the 
latter course. This choice, and his mode of handling his subject, 
called forth some criticism unfavourable to its repetition; but we 
venture to think that it is the course which will be more and more 
frequently, and of necessity, adopted in years to come. The range 
of scientific enquiry is becoming so wide, and the investigation of 
