OF NEW SOUTH WALES. 401 



I think I am right in saying that when this Society was first 

 designed it was intended to form a sort of Club for mutual assist- 

 ance in the observation of the phenomena of Nature, as well as a 

 means of printing and publishing original researches. It seems 

 to me that this purpose has been somewhat lost sight of, and 

 that it would be to the advantage of members, each and all, if 

 expeditions with the distinct object of study were, once a month 

 or so, made into the neighbouring country, collections formed, 

 and the results reported, exhibited, or discussed at the next 

 monthly meeting. There is a danger that the detachment might 

 convert itself into a mere party of pleasure for the purpose of 

 fishing and feasting. This peril may be met by the establishment 

 of strict sumptuary laws, which should hold for all the regular 

 meets. Off-days should be free of all restriction. I have detained 

 you, gentlemen, longer than I had intended, and conclude with 

 the expression of my obligations to Mr. Macleay and Dr. Woolls 

 for their assistance in bringing together the information which I 

 have been, by their help, enabled to lay before you. 



On the motion of Dr. Forrest it was resolved — "That the 

 President's Address be printed with the Proceedings." 



The Treasurer presented his Accounts, Balance Sheet showing 

 receipts amounting to .£295 10s. 10d., and disbursements of 

 £201 19s. 7d., leaving a Balance to the Credit of the Society 

 of £93 lis. 3d. 



The following gentlemen were elected Members of the Council 

 for 1878:— 



President— W. J. Stephens, Esq., M.A. 



Vice-President — The Hon. Sir William Macarthur, M.L.C. 



Hon. Secretary — Commander Stackhouse, R.N. 



Hon. Treasurer — H. H. B. Bradley, Esq. 



COUNCIL. 



The Hon. William Macleay, M.L.C., F.L.S. 



H. G. Alleyne, Esq., M.D. 



E. P. Ramsay, Esq., F.L.S. 



P. Mackay, Esq. 



C. S. Wilkinson, Esq., F.G.S. 



James Norton, Esq. 



