Section F. 

 ETHNOLOGY AND ANTHROPOLOGY. 



ADDRESS BY THE PRESIDENT, 

 REV. S. ELLA. 



THE ORIGIN OF THE POLYNESIAN RACES. 



At the several Sessions of the Australasian Association for the 

 Advancement of Science it is gratifying to observe that the Anthro- 

 pological Section has commanded a large amount of attention, and 

 our meetings in the different colonies in which they have been held 

 have attracted a good attendance, and the audiences have always 

 manifested deep interest in the proceedings. Many of the matters 

 brought before them were, indeed, of much interest and of con- 

 siderable importance, especially to the intelligent student of 

 anthropology. Much valuable matter has been collated, and fresh 

 facts of vast significance have been brought before us by gentlemen 

 whose knowledge and experience of the subjects stated entitle them 

 to respectful attention. Indeed, the only disappointment felt was 

 that more papers of the character were not forthcoming and a 

 more extensive and fuller collection of facts placed before the 

 anthropologist, to satisfj^ the craving of his mind and the desire of 

 many others for reliable information on the subjects of ethnology 

 and comparative philology. 



Anthropology opens up a large field of investigation and discovery 

 in the various branches connected with the study — in ethnology, 

 archceology, history, and philology. There is connected with each so 

 vast an area that, with the intelligence already established and 

 knowledge yet unrevealed, or but dimly perceived, the most ardent 

 and ambitious student may feel assured that there stands before him 

 much ground to be explored and a most inviting field for investiga- 

 tion, not so much for the solution of sundry hypothetical theories 

 as for the unearthing of stores of scientific wealth in the regions 

 of anthropology. There is enough information gathered, and much 

 more as yet unknown, to stimulate and encourage the earnest 

 student in any one of these branches. Each fresh discovery, 

 every new fact, and even unproved theory, stimulates and 

 encourages wider inquiry. Each becomes a stepping-stone to 

 cross to more substantial ground. The student maj^ safely leave 

 alone some interminable and unsatisfactory speculations which 



