president's address. 13 



Leichhardtii F.v.M., from Queensland, on the occurrence of alka- 

 loids in Australian species of the genus Solanum, and in the Native 

 Tobacco and the Noogoora Burr, and on the poisonous properties 

 of an introduced weed, Stachys arvensis Linn. 



Mr. E. F. Hallmann, B.Sc, Linnean Macleay Fellow in Zoology, 

 has been engaged, during the year, in a study of the Monaxonellid 

 Sponges. A preliminary examination and classification of the 

 available unnamed material have been carried out; and his first 

 paper, embodying the results of his investigation of the Monaxonid 

 Sponges described in Lendenfeld's Australian Museum Catalogue, 

 will be ready for communication to the Society, in about three 

 months' time. 



Mr. A. B. Walkom has completed his investigations on the strati- 

 graphical geology of the Permo-Carboniferous System in the Mait- 

 land-Branxton District, and also in the Glendonbrook District, 

 near Singleton, and two papers, embodying his results, together 

 with a third, giving notes on some recently discovered occurrences 

 of the pseudomorph, Glendonite, will be communicated to the 

 Society, at the meeting in April. 



In answer to the Council's call for applications for three vacant 

 Fellowships, issued last October, three applications for reappoint- 

 ment were received ; but one of the applicants, Mr. A. B. Walkom, 

 subsequently withdrew, in consequence of his appointment to the 

 teaching staff of the Queensland University. I have now the 

 pleasure of making the first public announcement of the re-election 

 of Dr. J. M. Petrie, and of Mr. E. F. Hallmann to Linnean 

 Macleay Fellowships, for another year, from 1st proximo; and in 

 offering them the Society's best wishes for the successful develop- 

 ment of the enterprises which they have in hand. I am glad of the 

 opportunity, also, of offering Mr. Walkom the Society's hearty 

 congratulations on his appointment to the Queensland University, 

 coupled with best wishes for a prosperous and fruitful career. 



I am glad of the opportunity likewise of offering the Society's 

 congratulations to three other members — to Mr. J. E. Carne, 

 F.G.S., on his safe return after a successful and adventurous 

 geological expedition to New Guinea, and who, I may add, has 



