president's address. 13 



J. p. Hill. The process of cleavage, the formation of the 

 blastocyst, and the differentiation of the embryonal ectoderm 

 are described in detail. Against the attack of Prof. Hubrecht, 

 he defends the opinion that the ancestors of the mammals 

 jjossessed large and heavily yoked eggs. 



The Council received an invitation from the Australian 

 Board of Missions to co-operate in pleading the cause of the 

 aboriginals, from a humanitarian, from a social, and from 

 a scientific standpoint. Mr. Garland, the Secretary and my- 

 self were appointed to represent the Society. A large depu- 

 tation was sympathetically received by the Prime Minister 

 on January 24th, 1911. He assiired us that the Faderal 

 Government realised its responsibilities in this direction, and 

 that the Blacks of the Northern Territory, now under the 

 control of the Commonwealth, would be protected by special 

 officex-s and reserves of land. 



In Australia, as well as in Europe, attention continues to 

 be focussed on Antarctic Exploration. Results from the 

 Expedition of Sir Ernest Shackleton are gradually receiving 

 literary garb. On his way sovith. Captain R. Scott and his 

 staff received a cordial welcome, and a hearty God-speed in 

 Sydney last year. 



The next campaign is being planned by our old comrade 

 and fellow-member, Dr. Doiiglas Mawson, who desires to 

 organise an Australian Antarctic Expedition. His field will 

 be the exploration of the coast of the Antarctic Continent 

 west of Cape A dare. Important results for all branches of 

 science are anticipated from his journey. We trust that the 

 example of the Australasian Association for the Advancement 

 of Science in offering support will be the means of de.spatch- 

 ing a well-equipped party. 



For the scientific part of this Address I have chosen: — 



A Study of Marginal Drainage. 

 Last year I took for the subject of my address the sub- 

 marine slope of New South Wales and attempted to show 



