president's address. 667 



rainfall the partially reclaimed lacustrine area in Pliocene times 

 was gradually opened up to immigration, until the central region 

 must have supported a wonderful fauna including Diprotodon? 

 Nototherium, large kangaroos, wombats, and crocodiles, &c. Of the 

 remarkable flora which must have coexisted for the support of the 

 gigantic herbivores, we know even less than of the extraordinary 

 fauna. In Post Pliocene times set in the dry period which still 

 continues. Such members of the fauna as could not adapt them- 

 selves to the new conditions were driven out. 



The Botanical, Geological, and Anthropological Parts of the 

 Report, as well as the Narrative, are still to come. In its com- 

 plete form therefore this fine work bids fair to be the most com- 

 prehensive and complete account of the natural history of any 

 part of Australia ever issued in a self-contained form. 



In conclusion it would seem not out of place to tender the 

 hearty congratulations of this Society to Mr. Horn, and to the 

 accomplished naturalists who took part in the expedition, as well 

 as to the various specialists who, in the more prosaic share of 

 working up the material, have still done what they could to crown 

 the work of the expedition with success. The amount of zeal 

 and hard work which Professor Spencer in a three or four-fold 

 capacity has expended on his share of the undertaking is evident 

 enough from a mere inspection of the Report. The style and 

 fmish of Mr. Wendel's plates, mostly reproduced from drawings 

 by Professor Spencer, as well as the letter-press, are as much a 

 source of satisfaction as the contemplation of the fact that except 

 in two groups it has not been necessary to go outside the limits of 

 Australia to find specialists able and willing to undertake the 

 necessary systematic work. 



On the motion of Mr. R. Etheridge, Junr., seconded by Mr. 

 J. H. Maiden, a very hearty vote of thanks was accorded to the 

 President for his interesting Address. 



The Hon. Treasurer read the financial statement of the Society's 

 accounts. The report of the Auditors could not be presented, as 

 one of them was still unavoidably absent from Sydney on official 

 business. 



