Proceedings of the Royal Society of Victoria. 237 



The Librarian reports as follows : — 



" During the past year the Library has been growing rapidly, 

 954 books or parts having been received. Considerable progress, 

 has also been made with the revision and cataloguing of the 

 Library, manuscript catalogue slips having been written out for 

 the majority of the books. The Binding of the books has been 

 continued so far as funds have permitted, 164 volumes having 

 been bound. 



" Owing to the great increase in the number of books in the 

 Library, more shelving is very urgently required. As soon as 

 this is ready it is proposed to re-arrange the books according to 

 subjects, instead of, as at present, according to nationality. 



" A very large number of valuable Serials still remain unbound, 

 in which condition they cannot be used without great inconve- 

 nience to the student, and risk of much injury to the books 

 themselves. It is impossible to place the Library in thorough 

 working order without incurring considerable expense, but when 

 this has once been done there should be no further difficulty in 

 keeping it up. The Library is now a very valuable and 

 comprehensive one, and steps should be taken to render it 

 available to Members and Associates of the Society. When once 

 placed in thorough order and with a catalogue up to date, it 

 ought to prove a great inducement to scientific gentlemen to join 

 the Society." 



During the course of the year the following publications have 

 been issued : — " Proceedings," Vol. IV. (New Series) Part I., 

 "Proceedings," Vol. IV. (New Series) Part II., and "Trans- 

 actions," Vol. II., Part II. 



The Society has suffered financially in consequence of the 

 prevailing depression. In addition to the loss of subscriptions, 

 the Government Vote has been reduced from £500 to .£250 per 

 annum. In consequence of this, it has been decided to discon- 

 tinue, for the present, the issue of the " Transactions," and to 

 limit the publications of the Society to " Proceedings." This 

 is much to be regretted, inasmuch as the Council finds itself 

 unable to publish the results of various researches carried on by 

 its Members, and having especial reference to the Australian 

 Colonies. It is hoped that, with the return of prosperous times, 

 the issue of the " Transactions" may be soon continued. 



