20 PRESIDENT’S ADDRESS. 
The Senate and House of Representatives of the United 
States have already voted the sum of $10,000, or £2,000, per 
annum for the clerical and other expenses connected with 
the cataloguing of the scientific publications of the United 
States, the same to be expended under the direction of the 
Secretary of the Smithsonian Institute. 
Australasia ought certainly to do something towards the 
cataloguing of its scientific publications, and in order that 
the matter may be considered by representatives of the 
principal Australasian Colonies, I have taken steps to bring 
the question before the General Council during the present 
session. 
I have dwelt rather fully upon this subject of an Inter- 
national Catalogue of scientific literature, because I think 
that a session of the Australasian Association for the 
Advancement of Science is the most favourable opportunity 
of bringing the matter under the notice of those interested 
in science in Australasia, and because I am strongly of 
opinion that it is a work in which this Association, both 
collectively and individually, should take an active part. 
THE IMPERIAL INSTITUTE. 
It is satisfactory to find that the Imperial Institute, 
London, is becoming an institution for the advancement of 
science. When in London, in 1896, I had many opportu- 
nities of seeing and inquiring into its working. 
The Scientific Research Department, under Professor 
Wyndham R. Dunstan, F.R.S., was opened in October, 
1896. Towards this Department the Royal Commissioners 
for the Exhibition of 1851 contribute £1,000 per year. The 
Goldsmith’s Company has also made a second grant of 
£1,000 towards providing the accommodation and equip- 
ment; the Salters’ Company has founded a Research Fel- 
lowship of £150 a year, and in October, 1896, the staff of 
assistant chemists employed was increased to eleven. The 
Government of India also gives an annual grant for research 
work upon Indian medicinal plants, dyes, gums, tanning 
materials, coal, and other products. 
