72 PRESIDENTS ADDRESS—SECTION D. 
nationalities will. Then, the occupancy of the same field by too 
many workers of different nationalities will almost certainly 
bring about a “clash of interests and a waste of power’ detri- 
mental to the progress of science. 
In contemplating this event from the end-of-the-century stand- 
point, and in the light of the knowledge which comes after the 
event, its scientific possibilities seem to us to have been con- 
siderable. In many respects, though not in all, the epoch was 
favourable, and the circumstances propitious. In the first place 
our knowledge of the flora and fauna began at a very definite 
stage in the progress of biological knowledge. It is wholly 
post-Linnean in the sense that though Linnzus lived until 
January, 1788, the twelfth and last author’s edition of the 
“Systema Nature” was published during the years 1766-68 ; 
and thus certainly the first and second, and probably all three 
volumes, would be included in Sir Joseph Banks’s “ fine library 
of natural history” on board the “ Endeavour,” which sailed from 
England on 26th August, 1768. “That work,” says Flower, 
“contained a systematic exposition of all that was known on 
these subjects [Zoology and Botany] expressed in language the 
most terse and precise. The accumulated knowledge of all 
the works of zoology, botany, and mineralogy since the world 
began, was here collected together by patient industry, and 
welded into a complete and harmonious whole by penetrating 
genius.” Moreover Linneus had successfully established the 
binomial system of nomenclature. There was hope, therefore, 
that, in this respect at any rate, those who came to work at the 
Australian flora and fauna would not attempt to do so from 
- an antiquated and pre-Linnean standpoint. To lend an air of 
realisation to the hope, it is only necessary to mention that, 
not only was Sir Joseph Banks one of the comparatively few 
English followers of Linnzeus at this time, but that he selected 
Dr. Solander, a pupil, even the “favourite pupil” it is said, of 
Linnzeus to accompany him. 
Apparently the circumstances were also favourable, for no 
continental area so satisfactorily isolated, and of such a manage- 
able character, or possessed of a more interesting and character- 
istic fauna, or one inclusive of so many “ living fossils,” had ever 
come under the notice of biologists under such unparalleled 
conditions. Europe, Asia, Africa, and America had each contri- 
buted its quota towards the production of the “Systema.” But 
old-established populous races, familiar with the use of gun- 
powder, or their off-shoots in the shape of colonies, had brought 
about more or less at least local disturbance ef the faunas of 
the accessible parts of these regions even before Linnzeus was 
born. The Fifth Continent offered the first, as well as the last, 
opportunity for the investigation of an absolutely undisturbed 
‘ continental land flora and fauna; for starting upon a new quest 
