14 THE 1896 ANNUAL ADDRESS. 



may be, on the other hand, that the pomt which has been 

 supposed to be m conflict with religion is really something 

 which is well established on scientific grounds. In such 

 a case it behoves us to re-examine, from the theological or 

 religious side, the arguments on the strength of which the 

 opposition was supposed to have arisen. That latter task 

 the Victoria Institute has not itself undertaken, but leaves it 

 io each individual, avoiding as a society to engage in theo- 

 logical discussions. 



In furtherance of the general objects of the Society, I have, 

 as I said, thought it might be useful to " take stock " of what 

 is known in the various departments of science. 



On two former occasions I have delivered addresses before 

 the Institute with such an end in view, having relation to 

 -certain branches of science, to which I have myself paid more 

 particular attention. In one case I brought before you some 

 of the conclusions to which we have been led regarding the 

 nature of light, and of that mysterious medium for its propaga- 

 tion which we call the luminiferous ether. Those conclusions, 

 so far as I have brought them before you, I think we may 

 regard as thoroughly well established on scientific grounds. 



In another address I brought the same subject before you 

 in connection with the perception of light, and the vast 

 utility of the sense of vision to us ; and there we have to 

 deal with a very mysterious subject, that of connecting 

 external nature with our own sensations. Here I had to 

 enter on ground which was, more or less, uncertain, and 

 which gives rise to considerable liberty of holding different 

 opinions. To-day, I have chosen as a subject to bring before 

 you one of remarkable interest, which has excited the 

 scientific world, and, I may say, mankind in general, more 

 especially as regards its practical applications to the medical 

 and surgical professions. 



Who would have dreamt at the last annual meeting of the 

 Victoria Institute, that before a year was out, we should be 

 able to see on a screen, to receive on a photographic plate, 

 which is aftei-wards developed, the skeleton, or a portion of 

 the skeleton of a living man, or at least a living child ? And 

 as the modes of exciting these rays improve, we shall pro- 

 bably go on, step by step — indeed already, I believe, the 

 whole body of a full grown man has been penetrated by 

 these rays, the discovery of which we owe to Dr. Rontgeu. 

 I Applause.] 



I feel some diffidence in bringing this subject before you, 



