132 Proceedings of the Royal Society of Victoria. 



communication. At present, the scientists of Melbom^ne met 

 the scientists of Melbom-ne, but had not the opportunity 

 of meetino- those of AustraLisia. The meetino-s of the 

 Association would afford that opportunity. An annual 

 volume such as was published by the British Association 

 would be [lublislied. The great facilities that now existed 

 for travelling between the j^rincipal Australian colonies 

 would promote the prosperity of the Association ; in fact, 

 he might say, they would render possible the existence of 

 such an Association. In connection with the meetings it 

 was proposed to have excursions to places of interest, 

 especially of scientific interest. Therefore the meetings 

 would not only be interesting from a scientific point of 

 view, but would afford relaxation, health, and pleasure. 

 The subscription was £1 Is. per annum. It was intended 

 to pay the incidental expenses of holding meetings, printing, 

 sending out notices and so forth, and also the expense of 

 publishing the Transactions. Each subscriber would receive 

 a copy of the annual volume, and, in fact, of all publications 

 of the Association. That the movement should be warmly 

 supported was highly desirable. It was a step in the 

 direction of federation and of harmonious co-operation, and 

 could not fail to be productive of good in a multitude of 

 ways. Their Sydney friends had the right to claim that 

 the first meeting should be held in Sydney, as New South 

 Wales was the oldest colony, and this was the Centennial 

 year. The movement had been fostered, and the pre- 

 liminaries arranged by the scientific gentlemen in Sydney, 

 and all that Victorians had to do was to support it as 

 earnestly and warmly as they could. There would be a 

 series of sections within the Association similar to those in 

 the British Association, so that persons studying different 

 branches of science would find a congenial sphere in which 

 to work. The sections were ten in number. He trusted 

 that members would not overlook this very important 

 movement, nor allow their Sydney friends to accuse them 

 of lukewarmness in the matter. If they paid their 

 subscriptions, attended the meeting in Sydney in 

 considerable numbers, and contributed papers, they might 

 rest assured that their Sydney friends would be greatly 

 encouraged, and that the year after they would have a 

 large and successful meeting in Melbourne. 



The Pkesident then read the Annual Report of the 

 Hon. Librarian, Dr. Neild. 



