124 president's address - section e. 



opening address, observed " that among the numerous literary and 

 scientific societies established in the British metropolis one was 

 still wanting to complete the circle of scientific institutions, whose 

 sole object should be the promotion and diffusion of that important 

 and entertaining branch of knowledge — geography." 



During the past five years at least fifteen new geographical 

 societies have come into existence. The number of members of 

 geographical societies in 1892 was 52,800. France heads the list 

 with thirty-one societies and 18,630 members; Germany stands 

 next, with twenty-three societies and 8,960 members ; the British 

 Empix-e (exclusive of the Australian Colonies) numbers twelve 

 societies and about 8,100 members, of which the parent society 

 claims no less than 3,191; Russia follows, with eight societies; 

 Switzerland takes the fifth place, owning six societies and 1,788 

 members. In Australia we have four societies or branches; and, 

 although we cannot claim a numerous body of members, let us 

 hope that the rising generation of Australians, as well as their 

 fathers — to say nothing of the women of South Australia and New 

 Zealand, whose political rights have been justly recognised by 

 Parliament — will, when the present commercial and industrial crisis 

 has pnssed away, feel it to be a duty and a privilege to keep alive 

 the interest already created in geographical and maritime discovery, 

 more especially in regard to Australasia. 



An interesting volume was published in 1891 (report on the 

 scientific results of H.M.S. Challenger during the years 1873-6).* 

 During the seventeen years that have passed since that report was 

 written the subject has gradually evolved from small beginnings, 

 and its latest developments are to be seen in the volume referred 

 to, which, in point of interest, is second to none of the long series 

 containing the results of that memorable voyage. The volume 

 opens with a brief historical sketch of the progress of our know- 

 ledge of oceanography in general, or, as the Americans term it — 

 and I think rightly term it — the geography of the sea, and of the 

 materials composing the sea bottom in particular. 



Another valuable book, entitled " Deep Sea Soundings," which 

 is a brief account of work done by the United States steamer 

 Enterprise during the years 1883 to 1886, has just issued from the 

 press. f 



Of the importance of such works to the whole scientific woi'ld it 

 is quite needless to speak. They form a rich storehouse of facts 

 which cannot be neglected by those who study either the history 

 of the earth in the past, and the changes which are taking place on 

 it at present, or the general biological problems involved in the 

 relation of marine animals to their environment. 



American explorers have sounded the depths of the ocean and 

 discovered mountains and valleys beneath the waves ; they have 



* Deep Sea Deposits, by John Muiray, LL.D., and the Rev. A. F. Renard, LL.D. 

 t Deep Sea Soundings, by Captain A. S. Barker, U.S.N. 



