2 rRESIDENX's ADDRESS. 



me in electing me to the Presidential Chair, and 1 trust to their 

 kindlj' forbearance in overlooking any shortcomings m my attempt 

 to fill worthily so responsible a position. 



Finally, it is with unbounded pleasure that I extend to you, 

 Mr. Chairman, and to the citizens of Bulawayo our deep 

 appreciation of the compliment you have paid us in inviting us 

 to return tO' this city when so short a period has elapsed since our 

 last visit. South Africa is essentially a country of surprises, and 

 1 feel is destined to become one of rapid progress. I am sure, 

 therefore, that after we have availed ourselves of your cordial 

 hospitality, those of us who were here some nine years ago will 

 leave your "land of ancient ruins" more impressed than ever 

 with its surging progress, its vast potentialities and the enormous 

 possibilities which exist for the application of science in all its 

 phases. 



As regards this Association the period since we last met here 

 has been one of steady progress, and its objects are being slowly 

 but surely achieved. In this connection I can not do better tlian 

 refer you to the able review of the Association's history and 

 activities given by Prof. John Orr in his Presidential Address at 

 Stellenbosch some three years ago. I cannot, however, refrain 

 from drawing particular attention to the remarkable growth in 

 the nuinber of papers which in the past few years have dealt with 

 some aspect of biology. This m.ay be taken as a sign of the 

 times, and might be quoted as an encouraging symptom, showing 

 that South Africa is fully alive to the importance of the study 

 of the biological sciences. 



In looking through the list of our past Presidents, I find that 

 Botany has only once before been honoured with the Presidential 

 Chair. This was some six years ago, at Ivimberley, when our 

 distinguished botanist, Dr. Marloth, presided over the meeting 

 and was at the same time awarded the Society's medal for his 

 services to Botanical Science. Dr. Marloth took as the subject 

 of his address — " Some Problems of Botanical Research in South 

 Africa" — and his opening sentences were as follows: — 



" I shall, for the sake of convenience, deal first with 

 such questions as are specially connected with the material 

 welfare of the country. It is too often overlooked that there 

 is nothing of greater importance to us in a country than its 

 vegetation, that the vegetation ;>f a country is tlie basis of 

 all life, and withovit :t neither animal nor man could live 

 there, unless maintained by artificial means and imports." 



Well may we pause and ask ourselves how many of us realise 

 to the full the significance of these words. Those of us who toil 

 in the Public Service know to our cost the views held by the 

 average pedantic otficiab. who regards the study of botany as an 

 expensive hobby, to be looked upon with condescending tolerance 

 rather than as a vital necessity of an agricultural country and as 

 such demanding every support and encouragement. If some of 

 our oflficials are still diill and antiquated in this respect, we can 



