president's address. 607 



(4) At least five important foldings have taken place in the 

 Australasian region between Pre-Cambrian and Carboniferous 

 time inclusive, and each has had an important influence on the 

 evolution of the continental area of Australia, but the last exten- 

 sive folding, that of the Gympie, which took place in Carboniferous 

 time, has been the chief factor in the evolution of the Main Dividing 

 Range of Eastern Australia in the northern portion of New South 

 Wales and in the greater part of Queensland. 



[5) The folding along the New Zealand Axis which commenced 

 in Pre-Silurian time was continued, as shown by Captain Hutton, 

 up to the close of the Mesozoic Era. 



In preparing the above address I have availed myself freely of 

 the labours of others, but much as is due to each one of them I 

 feel that most is due to a working member of this Society, Mr. R. 

 Etheridge, junr., whose unremitting and systematic studies in the 

 field of Australian Geology for the past thirty years are enabling 

 us to correlate the geological formations of Australia on a sound 

 and enduring basis. Through him the Linnean Society in the 

 past has been identified with most of the important steps in the 

 progress of Australian Geology, and that it should be so identified 

 in the future is, I am confident, as much the wish of the present 

 members of this Society as it was the wish of our generous 

 founder. 



EXPLANATION OF PLATES. 



Plate XXVII. — Map showing the chief Directions of Folding at present 

 known in Australia, Tasmania, and New Zealand. [The Anticlines 

 of the New Zealand Folds are reproduced from the Sketch by Captain 

 Hutton, F.R.S. (Quart. Journ. Geol. Sc. May, 1885, p. 195).] 



Plate XXVIII. — Generalised Geological Sketch Section showing the succes- 

 sive Foldings of Australia from Pre-Cambrian Time to the close of 

 the Permo-Carboniferous Period. 



On the motion of Mr. Cecil W. Darley a very cordial vote of 

 thanks was accorded to the President for his interestins: Address. 



