118 president's address SECTION D. 



unexpected facts. No wonder that such a theory should be 

 unanimously accepted by those who can appreciate its power for 

 good. No wonder that its beneficiaries should be desirous to see 

 it entertained on its merits by all persons of intelligence. But I 

 have been speaking too prodigally on other topics, and time fails. 



In a gathering of the sciences it would be bad form to recom- 

 mend one to special favor rather than another. I feel hardly at 

 liberty to say even this much of biology : that from it emanates the 

 aetiology of body and mind, and to ask on what but this depends 

 the happiness of the individual, the maintenance of the society, 

 the future of the race ? Add to this the purely intellectual profit 

 accruing from close study of the operations of life in the world or 

 worlds around us, and we cannot deny that biology well deserves 

 the utmost encouragement we can give it. That encouragement 

 she is here to seek, and happily she can seek it here with lively 

 gratitude for help already given. Coming from a State which has 

 Iiot as yet made provision for academical research in biology, I can 

 feelingly congratulate those who have on this occasion extended a 

 welcome to our Association, that they have had it in their power, 

 and not neglected the opportunity they had, to secure to themselves 

 the priceless boon of university teaching in addition to other potent 

 means of mental culture. Though fully alive to and grateful for 

 the splendid work which has been done and is being done by 

 privaie biologists in all departments of the science, Ave cannot, if we 

 would, gainsay the fact that the greatest mass of the best results is 

 effected by those whose only occupation it is to learn that they may 

 teach, and amongst the bodies set apart by public foresight for 

 such purposes the universities throughout the world are conspicuous 

 for the excellence and multiplicity of their biological labor. Were 

 it not the merest presumption in me to thrust advice upon the 

 intelligence of South Australia, I Avould, in the interest of biology 

 and through it in the interest of the State, say to them- Cherish 

 your vmiversity, extend its searching power, amplify its teaching 

 power with all your might, and do not be too solicitous to see it 

 exercising an immediate influence upon your national progress — the 

 nimblest ox is not usually the best worker. 



