Honarary Secretary’s report for Session 1872-73. [Fortieth Anniversary Meeting Thursday 6th November 1873

Abstract

‶Looking back upon the past session, I am happy to be able to report only progress and success. From the admirable opening address of Mr Milne Home, to the excellent closing address of Mr Taylor, we enjoyed a series of fortnightly meetings at which geological papers on a great variety of subjects were read and fully discussed. We have been able to devote a special number of our ‘Transactions’ to the papers of last session, and I have been repeatedly informed by competent authorities that this second part of the second volume of our ‘Transactions’ has given great satisfaction. Our distinguished Honorary Fellow and contributor, Mr Davidson, of Brighton, writes me that he is particularly pleased to ‘see it containing so many papers on Scottish geology.’ The study of local or Scottish geology is the chief object of our Society’s existence, and ought to form the leading subject of its attention. ‶I have the pleasure of laying on the table a large photographic portrait of Mr Davidson (which I have been at the personal expense of framing to hang on our library’s wall), presented to the members of the Society by our eminent fellow-citizen, with his ‘best wishes and thanks for all their kindness to him.’ Mr Davidson mentions that this is the best photograph that has ever been taken of him, and was made for a series in the possession of the Royal and Geological Societies of London. ‶During the past session we lost three Fellows by resignation and