480 president's address. 



might assist them so materially, for it has large resources, and a 

 valuable property. Up to this the greater part of the burden of 

 sustaining it devolves upon Mr. Ellery, F.K.S., the Government 

 Astronomer, and some few other gentlemen. 



In referring to the labours of scientific men in the Colonies, 

 Baron von Mueller's efforts are too well known to need comment. 

 During the last year he has published the following works : — 

 1. Four decades of " Eucalyptographia," a descriptive atlas of 

 the JEucalypts of Australia &c. 2. " Forest resources of Western 

 Australia," with illustrations. 3. " The native plants of Victoria," 

 succinctly defined. 4. Continuation of "FraginentaPhytographia" 

 for Vol. II. 5. " Suggestions on Forests." 6. " On Vegetable 

 Fossils of Auriferous Drifts." His work on the Eucalypts will be 

 one of the most beautiful and lasting monuments to his industry 

 and genius. It will help to clear up a portion of our floral 

 classification, which is confessedly obscure. It may not do all 

 that is to be done, but it will be a wonderful step in the advancement 

 of our knowledge. It is pretty certain, however, that the numbe r 

 of our Eucalypts will, like our 300 species of Acacia, need 

 considerable reduction. As an instance of what climate will effect 

 in varying the species I may mention that the Eucalyptus citriodora, 

 with the powerfully lemon-scented leaves, and which grows on 

 the arid ridges of tropical North-east Australia, is no other than 

 the common spotted gum of the neighbourhood of Port Jackson. 

 Mr. Bailey, F.L.S., of Brisbane, was the first who drew my 

 attention to this remarkable instance of variation, which I have 

 been able to confirm by recent observations in North Australia. 



In our own colony Dr. Woolls is continually seconding the 

 labours of Baron von Mueller. We must, all of us, wish that he 

 would turn his accurate and extensive knowledge of the New 

 South Wales flora to something more immediately benefiting the 

 Colony. I am sure I only echo the desire of every botanist on 

 this side of the continent, that he would give us a flora of New 

 South Wales, or a census of the flora of any locality with which 



