32 PRESENTATION TO MR. FLETCHER. 



original aims and objects of its founders. The Society's annual 

 volumes had continued to be regularly and interruptedly issued 

 in Parts, in addition to the Macleay Memorial Volume. Mr. 

 Fletcher had made the best of the difficulties in his department. 

 He carried out his duties for the first six years in association 

 with Sir William. His heart had been in his work. He had 

 co-operated harmoniously with the Council, the Office bearers, 

 and the Members throughout his long period of service, justify- 

 ing Sir William's expectations of him, and earning the apprecia- 

 tion and gratitude of the Society. 



Mr. E. C. Andrews, on behalf of the younger Members of the 

 Society, in seconding the Resolution, said that Mr. Fletcher had 

 been to them a guide, philosopher, and friend: and had never 

 made the charge against them of the unpardonable crime of being 

 young. He had always stood to them as the symbol of fidelity 

 to a trust; that trust being devotion to the cause of Science 

 through the medium of the Linnean Society of New South Wales. 

 If Mr. Fletcher's opportunities for research-work had been 

 limited by his official duties, yet this was counterbalanced, in 

 some degree, by his active interest in the success of a Society 

 whose aim it was, in a special way, both directly and indirectly, 

 to foster scientific research-work. He had sowed that others 

 might reap, and he had been connected with the Society suffi- 

 ciently long to see them doing so. While the younger Members 

 would regret the absence of Mr. Fletcher's guiding hand in the 

 old way, they looked forward to his being free, to assist in the 

 elucidation of some of the interesting but often complex problems, 

 which still confront the biologist in Australia. 



On the motion of Dr. T. Storie Dixson, seconded by Mr. E. C. 

 Andrews, it was resolved —That this Society desires to place on 

 record its appreciation of the invaluable services of Mr. J. J. 

 Fletcher, the retiring Secretary. Through his resignation, the 

 Society will suffer loss, in many ways irreparable, especially by 

 reason of that complete understanding which existed between 

 him and the founder of the Society, Sir William Macleay, on all 

 matters concerning its policy, whether financial or administra- 

 tive. Thoroughly imbued with the spirit which actuated Sir 



