to the arrangement of the Franklin manuscript papers, now in progress.

The satisfactory condition of the financial affairs of the Society was next noticed, and suggestions made with regard to certain subjects connected therewith.

He next remarked that it was formerly the usage of members of this Society occasionally to dine together, for the purpose of social intercourse and of promoting mutual good feelings;-and suggested the propriety of establishing, as an anniversary occasion, the birthday of Franklin, the founder and first President of the Society, and of celebrating it by an annual dinner.

The President closed his discourse with observations relative to his being about to retire from the position of presiding officer, and with assurances of the deep interest which he has ever felt and will continue to feel in the prosperity of the Society.

On motion of Dr. Dunglison, the address was referred to the Board of Officers and Council.

Judge KANE, Vice-President, in the Chair.

The report of the judges and clerks of the election held this day for officers of the Society was read, from which it appeared that the following named gentlemen had been elected :—

President.

Alexander Dallas Bache.

Vice Presidents.

John K. Kane,

Robley Dunglison,

John F. Frazer.

Secretaries.

Charles B. Trego,
E. Otis Kendall,
Frederick Fraley,

John L. Le Conte.

Members of the Council, for Three Years.

Thomas Biddle,

Isaac Lea,

Alfred L. Elwyn,

John Bell.

For Two Years, in place of Henry Reed, deceased.
George Tucker.

For One Year, in place of Jacob G. Morris, deceased.
Robert Bridges.

VOL. VI.-L

Curators.

Franklin Peale,
John C. Cresson,

M. Fisher Longstreth.

Treasurer.

Charles B. Trego.

Letters were read:

From the Geological Society of London, dated Somerset House, Nov. 2, 1854, returning thanks for Vol. X. Part 3, of the Transactions, and Nos. 49, 50, of the Proceedings of this Society: and

From A. D. Bache, Superintendent of the United States Coast Survey, dated Washington, Oct. 10, 1854, accompanying a donation for the Library.

The following donations were announced:

FOR THE LIBRARY.

Quarterly Journal of the Geological Society. No. 40, Vol. X. Part 4. London, Nov. 1854. 8vo.-From the Society.

Rapports présentés au Conseil Général de l'Asile des Aveugles de Lausanne, par le Comité, le Medecin et le Directeur de cet établissement, pour les années, 1850, 1851, 1852.

Rapport du Comité de l'Asile des Aveugles de Lausanne, pour l'année 1853, présenté au Conseil Général de cet établissement. Lausanne. 8vo. From the Committee of the Blind of Lausanne. American Journal of Science and Arts. Second Series. Vol. XIX.

No. 55. January, 1855. New Haven. 8vo.-From Profs. Silliman & Dana, Editors.

Proceedings of the Boston Society of Natural History. Vol. V. Nos.

2, 3, 4, 5. Oct. Nov. 1854. Boston. 8vo.-From the Society. Documents relative to the Colonial History of the State of New York: edited by E. B. O'Callaghan, M.D. Vol. IV. Albany, 1854. 4to.-From the Trustees of N. Y. State Library.

United States Coast Survey Maps, as follows: General Chart of the Coast from Gay Head to Cape Henlopen.-Wellfleet Harbour, Massachusetts.-Mouth of Connecticut River.-San Diego Bay, California.-Bay of Monterey, California.-Alden's Reconnaissance Chart, Western Coast, from San Diego to San Francisco, California. Santa Barbara, California.-Reconnaissance from