340 SIR RODERICK I. MURCHISON'S ADDRESS— TASMANIA. [May 23, 1859. 



Royal Geological Institute of Austria by my accomplished friend Dr. 

 Hochstetter as soon as the men of science reach their native land, I 

 rejoiced when I heard that the Emperor Louis Napoleon had given 

 orders that the vessel freighted with such large collections and so 

 much knowledge should not be interfered with by any French 

 cruisers on her way home. I formerly spoke of my anticipa- 

 tions of the successful issue of this scientific voyage, and having 

 recommended these Austrian explorers to the goodwill of Sir W. 

 Denison, the Governor-General of East Australia, it was most satis- 

 factory to learn that his Excellency had been enabled to assist 

 them materially ; whilst on their part they have well repaid the 

 kindness shown to them by giving us the first reliable sketch 

 which has been sent home of the true nature of the coal formations 

 of New Zealand. 



Tasmania. — Hitherto we have not yet been made sufficiently 

 acquainted with the phj^sical geography and natural history of this 

 large colony. In former years, my valued friend the late Sir John 

 Franklin, when Governor, strove hard to set on foot various 

 scientific inquiries, and of late years the Tasmanian Society has pub- 

 lished some good memoirs on various scientific subjects. Eecently, 

 however, the Local Government having resolved to have the whole 

 isla,nd correctly surveyed by a competent geologist. Her Majesty's 

 Secretary of the Colonies applied to me to recommend a proper 

 person, and Mr. Charles Gould, formerly a distinguished student 

 of the Government School of Mines, has, in consequence, been 

 appointed geological surveyor of this important and little ex- 

 plored region. Whether we look to the correct delineation of the 

 coal deposits which are already knovm to exist there, to the dis- 

 covery of gold, or to the general advancement of science, I feel 

 certain that the researches of Mr. C. Gould (son of the eminent 

 ornithologist) will prove of signal value to the colony, and be well 

 appreciated in the mother country. 



General Observations on the Australian Colonies. — A project for the 

 establishment of a system of observation in various branches of 

 natural history sciences throughout the British Colonies, and of 

 publishing the same, has been transmitted by the enlightened 

 Governor-General of New South Wales to Her Majesty's Secretary 

 for the Colonies, who has submitted the plan to the consideration 

 of the Council of this Society.* 



* The project has been also submitted to the President and Council of the Royal Society, 

 who, as well as the Council of the Royal Geographical Society and myself, have reported 

 favourably upon the scheme. — July 1, 1859. 



