I have been deputed by your President to address you to-night from this chair, and so to attempt a task which would have been much better performed by one who possesses all the requisite scientific acquirements which I want, and without which, I fear, justice can only be imperfectly done to the work which I have undertaken.

It is usual at this meeting to give some notice of those of our Members who have died during the preceding year, and the list on this occasion contains so many, and some of them such distinguished names, that it will leave me no space for touching on other topics.