ADDRESS 



HY 



Dr. ARNOLD THEILER, C.M.G., D.Sc, 



PRESIDENT. 



In the constitution of the South African Association for the 

 Advancement of Science one of the desiderata put forth is " to 

 obtain a more general attention to pure and applied science." 

 When looking through the list of past Presidents, it occurred to 

 me that either purposely or inadvertently that excellent idea had 

 clearly been brought out by the nominations for the various 

 meetings ; the list embraces both men whose occupation was in 

 the realm of pure science, as well as those who applied science to 

 the contingencies of industry and commerce. To my mind this 

 practice indicates the true spirit in which science has been 

 regarded in the past by the founders of the Society, and it is 

 desirable that the same spirit should prevail in the future. My 

 best thanks are due to the Council for electing me as President 

 for this meeting ; it is an honour which I. as well as my profes- 

 sion, highly appreciate, and I regard it as an expression of the 

 spirit alluded to. Hitherto my occupation in science has been, 

 so to say, more of an economical nature. This fact and the 



