president's address. 13 



carried out by the Australian Museum and the University. The 

 results of the detailed examination are bound to be of the highest 

 importance. The earlier cruises were accompanied by Mr. Waite 

 and Professor Flynn, of the University of Tasmania, but weatlier 

 conditions militated against successful results. 



A very large number of soundings have been taken, including 

 two lines of soundings between Australia and the Antarctic Conti- 

 nent — one from Tasmania to Adelie Land, the other from Queen 

 Mary Land to Adelaide. A well-marked submarine elevation was 

 discovered to the south of Tasmania, another to the north of Queen 

 Mary Land — the relics of old land-connections. A very large series 

 of oozes was obtained during the dredgings. 



In Antarctic waters, besides the usual cherts, gneisses, red sand- 

 stones, etc., wood and coaly matter were dredged up on several 

 occasions, and once scoriaceous lava, this to tlie north of wliere 

 North's Highland appears on Wilkes' maps. Dr. Mawson is of the 

 opinion that this comes from a local volcanic centre. 



The severe weather conditions at both bases, especially at 

 Adelie Land, where almost unimaginable and frequent blizzards 

 were found to prevail, are most astonishing. It is now known 

 that the average wind velocity, on the Antarctic Continent, is 

 greater as one decreases the distances to the Geographical Pole; 

 localities on the same latitude may, however, vary through wide 

 limits, the two extremes being Amundsen's base and Mawson's. 



The snowfall is phenomenal in the northern portion of the 

 continent— probably up to 2 or 3 feet in the day. Magnetic 

 observations were regularly taken, and when published, hourly 

 values will be given for the whole period. 



Observations on the Aurora were continued in connection with 

 the state of the aether, and as to its capacity of transmitting wire- 

 less waves. It is of interest to note that an accurate longitude was 

 established in Adelie Land, by the use of the wireless installation. 

 Antarctic bacteriology was studied by Dr. McLean, and cultures 

 were prepared. 



Another station was Macquarie Island, which has been mapped 

 and contoured by Mr. H, Blake; the sea-elephants and the ahun- 



