IV. Smith (John Alex.), M.D., Notes of some of our Rarer Birds -Tetrao medius, a Hybrid between the Capercailzie and Blackcock; Lanius excubitor, the Great Grey Shrike; Dafila caudacuta, the Pintail Duck; Buteo lagopus, V. Stirling (Archibald), Notice of a Pike (Esox lucius), in I. Murray (Andrew), Contributions to the Natural History of the Hudson's Bay Company's Territories. Aves. Part I. II. Jardine (Sir William), Bart., Observations on some of the IV. Wright (T. Strethill), M.D., Observations on British Zoo- VI. Smith (John Alex.), M.D., Notice of the Ukpam, a Large Species (probably new) of Sting Ray (Trygon, Cuv.), found in the Old Calabar River, Africa, . VII. Smith (John Alex.), M.D., Notice of the Passer montanus, 59 II. Wright (T. Strethill), M.D., on Goodsirea mirabilis, an undescribed Gymnopthalmatous Medusa, (Dr Wright also exhibited Specimens of Gromia oriformis), III. Gätke (W. H.), (communicated by Professor Balfour), No- tice of some Birds observed in the Island of Heligoland, IV. Bryson (Alex.), on the Danger of Hasty Generalization in VI. Murray (Andrew), a beautiful series of varieties (in plum- I. Lowe (W. H.), M.D., Extract of Letter from the Rev. Hugh Goldie, Old Calabar, to Dr Greville, respecting some sin- gular Silk "Bags" formed by Insects in Africa, II. Murray (Andrew), a Series of recently discovered Eyeless Beetles, from the Caves of Carniola and Hungary were III. Bryson (Alex.), Notice of the Tenacity of Life in Buccinum IV. Wright (T. Strethill), M.D., Observations on British Zoo- phytes-Kionistes retiformis (with figure), V. Cleland (John), M.D., on the Vomer in Man and the Mam- VI. Peach (Charles W.), on the Discovery of Nullipores (cal- I. Kelaart (E.F.) M.D., (communicated by Dr R. K. Greville), Report on the Pearl Banks of Arippo, Ceylon, for Season 1858, II. Banks (James), (communicated by Dr J. A. Smith), Note on the Luminosity of the Lantern-fly of Honduras, III. (1.) M‘Bain (James), M.D., R.N., Notice of a Fossil Nau- 101 (2.) M'Bain (James), M.D., R.N., Notice of the Nucula (1.) Dassauville (Peter A.), Anas strepera, the Gadwall, (2.) Smith, (John Alex.), M.D., Anas clypeata, the Shovel- ler; Lanius excubitor, the Great Grey Shrike; Alauda VIII. Smith (John Alex.), M.D., Notes on the Crania of the Urus (Bos primigenius) in the Museum of the Society of Anti- quaries of Scotland (woodcut of celts), Plate II.-New Protozoa-Lagotia producta, Zooteirea religata, Corethria sertularia, Salpistes Mülleri, Plate III.-British Zoophytes-Clavula Gossi, Hydra tuba, Plate I.-Bernicla leucolama, B. Canadensis, B. Hutchinsii, Plates III and IV.-British Zoophytes-Bimeria vestita, Garveia nutans, Coryne implexa, Goodsirea mirabilis, young of PROCEEDINGS OF THE ROYAL PHYSICAL SOCIETY. EIGHTY-EIGHTH SESSION, 1858-59. Wednesday, November 24, 1858. Professor BALFOUR in the Chair. The following Gentlemen were elected Members of the Society : William Carruthers, Esq.; William Turner, M.B., Demonstrator of Anatomy, University of Edinburgh. Foreign Member-Count Victor Motschoulsky, St Petersburgh. The Donations to the Library included the following, and thanks were voted to the donors : 1. Proceedings of the Royal Society of Edinburgh, Session 1857-58. From the Society.-2. Canadian Journal, Toronto, Nos. XV., XVI., and XVII. From the Canadian Institute, Toronto.-3. Papers read to the Botanical Society of Edinburgh. By George Lawson, Ph.D. From the Author.-4. The Practical Naturalist's Guide. By James Boyd Davies. From the Author. Professor BALFOUR then delivered the Opening Address as follows: It has been the usual practice in the Society that the retiring President shall give a short address on the occasion of his demitting office, and, in conformity with that custom, I have been called upon by your Secretary to make a few remarks this evening when I conclude my period of probation as President. The task is by no means an easy one, from the difficulty of finding some new topic of interest on which to expatiate. The history of the Society has been already given by my predecessors, and the obituaries of the eminent members who have lately been taken from us (a topic which in most Societies occupies much of the opening addresses), have VOL. II. A already been given by Fellows of the Society, more competent for the duty than myself. It has occurred to me that a brief notice of two Edinburgh Natural History Societies, which have now ceased to exist, and more particularly of the Wernerian Society, might not be altogether uninteresting. Natural History studies are peculiarly fitted to call forth the principles of association. There is something connected with the prosecution of them which draws students together, and which binds them by ties of no ordinary kind. The study of the Rocks and Minerals, Plants and Animals, of our globe naturally leads to extended wanderings over mountain and plain, by river side or ocean shore, during which the companionship of friends becomes especially valuable and cheering. There is a sociality in such pursuits which insensibly unites men in scientific brotherhood. Those who have joined in natural history excursions know well the fascination of such rambles, and look back with pleasure to the friendships thus formed. The collections made become also bonds of union. For every naturalist knows the importance of the interchange of specimens. The system of exchange has led to the formation many associations. It was this which in a great measure led to the institution of the Botanical Society of this city. of Edinburgh has been long celebrated for its Natural History Societies. The situation of our city, the rich fauna and flora of its neighbourhood, its instructive geological and mineralogical features, have rendered it one of the places best fitted for the prosecution of natural science in its practical details. The student has ample opportunities of pursuing science in all its departments. Our museums and gardens also supply a valuable means of acquiring information. Thus it is, that as a school of natural science, there is scarcely any city which possesses greater advantages. It might have been expected, therefore, that scientific societies would spring up among us. The Physical Society was among the earliest established, and it speedily acquired great eminence from the activity and zeal of its members. It embraced the whole range of science, both natural and physical, and it especially called forth the energies of young men who were zealously cultivating science within the walls of our University. It has had its reverses no doubt, |