Vol 5 - Dumfriesshire & Galloway Natural History and Antiquarian ...

APPENDIX A.Report 011 the Conversazione held on ^Ith, '2Sth, and29th October, 1886, Extended.At a meeting of the Committee, held on the 30th' October'1886, it was unanimously resolved to have a Conversazione duringthe ensuing Session, but owing to tlie death of the late President(Dr Gilchrist) in December, it was deemed advisable to postponeit until the following autumn. At the subsequent general meeting,it was decided to hold the Conversazione on 27th and 28thOctober, and, if circumstances permitted, to extend it to thefollowing day.In order that the different subjects in which the Society isinterested be duly represented, a number of sub-committees wereappointed to take charge of the different sections for collectingthe exhibits, and superintending them during the time they wereon view. It is very gratifying to record that the circular whichhad been issued to members, friends, acquaintances, and publicbodies requesting specimens of local natural history, or objectsrelating to tlie archteology of the district, met with such a heartyresponse as to fill Greyfriars' Hall ; and that every article lentfor the occasion was safely returned to the owners. It wasarranged that W. H. Maxwell, Esq. of Munches, should open theExhibition on the 27th (Wednesday) at two p.m., but, in theunavoidable absence of that gentleman through indisposition,the ceremony was performed by the president, Dr Grierson.nominal charge was made for admission, to cover the expensesincurred, and the attendance during the three days being considerable,there was a balance of £5 12s 3|d in favour of theSociety. Tlie income from sale of tickets was £20 13s 6d, andthe total expenditure amounted to £15 Is 2Jd. During thetime the Exhibition was open, a number of the lady membersand friends presided at the organ and pianoforte, and othermembers ably assisted the Committee in arranging the exhibits,and in various ways contributed to make the Exhibition a success.To describe every article in this unique collection—even if thedetails of all were at our disposal—would be undesirable, and,instead of doing so, we purpose giving an outline of the Exhibition,and noticing such specimens as are of scientific or archseoloijficalinterest.A