2 prksident's addrks.s. 



indulgence for an effort which falls below the high standard to 

 which my predecessors have accustomed you. 



The greeting " Ladies and Gentlemen " reminds you that at 

 the instance of Prof. Wilson the Society early in the year resolved 

 to break down the invidious distinction between tlie sexes and 

 to extend full privileges of membership to women. As far back 

 as 1885 women have been received by the Society as "Associates" 

 but excluded from meetings and denied a vote. Eight lady 

 Members joined us under these restrictions, half of whom con- 

 tinue to the present. This enfranchisement was a natural pro- 

 gress and was foreseen by my predecessor, President Stephens, 

 who in his Annual Address of January 27, 1886, made the 

 following reference to the admission of women : — " This enlarge- 

 ment of the Society's sphere is admittedly only tentative, and 

 may probably be increased hereafter by the admission of all 

 Members to full rights without distinction of sex, following the 

 improved practice of the Sydney University in this respect." 

 That the status of our women Members should be thus raised i.s 

 also in harmony with the provisions of the Founder's will direct- 

 ing that women who are otherwise qualified should be eligible for 

 election to the Linnean Macleay Fellowships. 



In this reform you followed the example of our great name- 

 sake the Linnean Society of London. But whereas the English 

 women had fairly earned their reward by several brilliant papers 

 accepted and published by their Society, no such feminine con- 

 tributions have been received from our Members. Neither have 

 Australian ladies so far taken much advantage of the member- 

 ship now open to them. Yet I anticipate that in the future we 

 shall welcome many distinguished women oE Science to our I'anks 

 and that their work will be an ornament to our Proceedings. 

 And if not, "Because right is right,'' as Tennyson says, "to 

 follow right were wisdom in the scorn of consequence." 



These alterations necessitated the revision and issue of a new 

 edition of the Rules in December last. Accompanying it was a 

 list of Members, from which it appears that we commence the 

 Session of 1910 with 130 effective Members on the roll. 



