OF Kew south wales. 149 



I would venture to point out a site which appears to me most 

 suitable for the object in view ; it is the locality in the neighbour- 

 hood of Mr. W. Macleay's Museum. The great advantages of 

 this site are the following : — 



1. The Macleay Museum offers an excellent general view of the 

 Australian fauna, and that of the surrounding countries. 



2. Mr. Macleay will, doubtless, not refuse the use of his rich 

 Zoological Library to any working naturalist. 



3. The neighbourhood of the sea is of great importance for the 

 study of the marine fauna, and for the establishment of an 

 aquarium, which will probably be set up in due time in the pro- 

 posed station. 



4. In Mr. Macleay the institution would find a most compe- 

 tent director ; his great zoological acquirements especially as 

 regards the fauna of Australia, New Guinea, &c., will be of the 

 utmost importance and utility for every naturalist who comes to 

 Sydney, and desires to occupy himself with thorough investiga- 

 tions in Australian zoology ; this I can state from personal 

 experience. His love of natural science, and the interest which 

 he consequently takes in its advancement, which the proposed 

 institution is certain to develope to no small extent, are guarantees 

 that under his guidance and inspection the station will be main- 

 tained in a flourishiiig condition. 



The conditions which I have enumerated, namely a suitable site, 

 close to the sea, and in the neighborhood of a good m,useum and a 

 rich library, together with the important addition of a thoroughly 

 competent director, are such as bear me out in the assertion which 

 I have made above, that Sydney possesses unusual facilities for 

 the establishment of sl first zoological station in Australia. 



I trust that the distinguished society which I have the honor of 

 addressing, will coincide with me in these views, and that looking 

 upon this undertaking as one every way worthy of a scientific 

 body they will take into consideration the best means of giving 

 speedy effect to a plan of which the honor will belong to them- 

 selves, but the benefits will be felt and recognised by the world 

 at large. 



