PRESIDENTS ADDRESS—SECTION E. 119 
And. now, in bringing my, I fear, rather rambling discourse to 
a conclusion, [ would desire, while reiterating the importance of 
the study generally of geography as a science, bearing in mind 
that science as a brotherhood and as a subject for study recognises 
no distinction of race or country, and no restriction of regions, to 
impress upon you the plain duty that is incumbent upon all of us 
who are possessed of the means and opportunity, as Australasians, 
to do what is in the power of each of us, be it ever so small, to 
contribute our mite to the record of geographical knowledge of 
this our adopted land, either of facts observed, or the result of 
reasoning on already ascertained data,remembering that geography 
is a science happily defined as the “Science of Distributions,” and 
as has been already before remarked, sufficiently comprehensive 
to embrace the study of geology, zoology, botany, climatic and 
meteorological conditions and phenomena, the commercial and 
industrial possibilities of a country, and in fact everything affect- 
ing the physical condition of the surface of our globe, and thus 
assist in building up the destiny of what must in the future 
assume the position of a mighty power, that will prove to be not 
only a subject of pride to the grand old country from which it has 
sprung, but which, retaining its veneration and affection for the 
dear land in whose glorious history and traditions we still claim 
a birthright, will have the privilege of being to it a source of 
strength and possible support. 
