Notes

Abstract

TUESDAY being St. Andrew's Day, the anniversary meeting of the Royal Society, as required by their charter, was held. The President, Dr. Hooker, began his address with a few remarks on the large number of eminent Fellows whose names appeared in the death-list of the past year, and then gave a summary of the numerous measures for “the improvement of natural knowledge” undertaken by the Society. These comprise the publication of papers in the “Philosophical Transactions,” in a separate form; preparation of additional volumes of the catalogue of scientific papers; the labours of committees in connection with the Transit of Venus Expedition, and the researches ot naturalists in Kerguelen and Rodrigues; the Eclipse of the Sun Expedition to Siam, the Polar Expedition, the voyage of the Challenger, and of the Committees appointed to consider the suggested modification of the regulations under which candidates are elected into the Society. The auditors' report showed that the pecuniary resources of the Society were in a satisfactory condition, and Dr. Hooker mentioned the bequests made to the Society by the late Sir C. Wheatstone and Mr. H. Dircks. The medals were then presented, the Copley medal to Dr. Hofmann, a Royal medal to Mr. Crookes, and a Royal medal to Dr. Oldham (at present in India), through Prof. Ramsay. The proceedings terminated with the election of council and officers (comprising the list of names already published) for the ensuing year. We hope to refer at length next week to the President's address. The anniversary dinner was held at Willis's Rooms, Dr. Hooker in the chair, supported by the Marquis of Salisbury, Lord Cardwell, Mr. W. H. Smith (of the Treasury), the Right Hon. Robert Lowe, Mr. Farrer, Admiral R. Hall, Mr. Lyon Playfair, Dr. Hofmann, Mr. Crookes, and a large number of the Fellows of the Society and their friends.