448 PROCEEDINGS OF SECTION D. 



the extent even of destio3ing what was genuinely autochthonous. 

 It is a well-known fact that there are many species whose true 

 natural habitat is unknown, and, so far as we can see, uii discover- 

 able. The data were not placed on record at the pe riod when 

 their record would have been easy, and now the opportunity is gone. 



Australia is probably, among the large portions of the earth's 

 surface, that where nature has been least interfered with bv 

 artificial influences. A moment's consideration will show that on 

 a priori grounds this viust be the case, and it is unnecessary for 

 me to waste your time by giving reasons for the assertion. Its 

 being so is |)roved, moreover, by experience , for every student of 

 geographical distribution is strvick with the fact that there are 

 very few species which have an extended range of occurrence in 

 Avistralia as compared with those of other continents. This is 

 not at all likely to be the result of anything inherently peculiar to 

 Australia or its fauna, bu' simply of the fact that geographical 

 distribution has net been tampered with here to any great extent 

 b) artificial means. Every year, however, this natural distribu- 

 tion of the Australian 'fauna is in an increasing ratio being 

 disturbed. I may mention as an illustration that a large and 

 handsome Buprestid, unquestionably autochthonous in Western 

 Australia, has recently been brought to my notice as established in 

 Victoria, doubtless having been introduced there through the 

 importation of timber from Western Australia. On these grounds, 

 therefore, I ask your assent to the proposition that it is a matter of 

 incalculable importance to the future of scientific investigation 

 that Australian biologists should make every possible effort to 

 ascertain and place on record without any delay the facts of the 

 geographical distribution of the Australian fauna, facts which in 

 the coixrse of even a few^ years may become if unrecorded 

 irrevocably lost. 



In arguing my case before a body of scientists such as I have 

 the honor of now addressing 1 should be quite willing to rest it 

 solely upon the scientific considerations that have so far formed 

 the subject of my paper. But with persons not definitely 

 interested in the discovery of science it is necessary in order to 

 produce an effect to show that any suggested effort is likely to be 

 fi'uitful in immediate practical resvilts ; and as the investigation of 

 geograjDhical distribution requires the co-operation of a far larger 

 body of workers than can be furnished from the ranks of those 

 ah-eady actively pursuing scientific studies, it is well that we 

 should not overlook the bearing of this matter on practical affairs. 

 I ask the attention, then, of the members of our Association to the 

 fact that a knowledge of the geogi-aphical distribution of the 

 Australian fauna is likely to be in the futirre one of the most 

 important factors in determining the most efficacious methods of 

 resisting the ravages of forms of life that are injurious to the 

 interests of humanity on this continent. 



