164 Proceedings of the Royal Society of Victoria. 



properly equipped Expedition had found its way into high 

 Southern latitudes. The " Challenger " had not gone so very 

 far South, although it went within sight of the ice barrier. 

 It was hoped that this Expedition would be able to get a 

 good deal further South than any vessel had gone within 

 the last forty years, if indeed it did not go further South 

 than any vessel ever yet had gone. One reason for expect- 

 ing this was, that the vessels would have steam power. In 

 the high Southern latitudes comparative calms or light winds 

 prevailed, and the sailing vessels were comparatively power- 

 less and unmanageable. A steamer could go and return 

 where a sailing vessel could not venture. To attempt the 

 South Polar regions by the aid of steam power, was the 

 object of the Expedition. £5000 had to be contributed by 

 the Colonies, and the amounts promised and received in 

 Melbourne were approaching =£'1000. This was not a great 

 way towards £5000. He did not know exactly how far the 

 matter had got in the other Colonies. This was the position 

 the Antarctic question was in, and he trusted that Members 

 of the Royal Society would render every assistance to this 

 most desirable object. 



In conclusion, he would again remind them that this was 

 the last meeting of the year, and that they were about to 

 enter on their long vacation. The next meeting, which 

 would be held in the following March, would be the Annual 

 Meeting, at which the Annual Elections would take place, 

 and he trusted the nominations would be sent in in due time. 

 He thanked the Members for their attendance, and congratu- 

 lated the Society on what had been a very satisfactory 

 Session, thanks mainly to the labours of those interested 

 in Biology. He would declare the Meeting and the Session 

 of 1890 at an end. 



