PAST^ PRESENT, AND FUTURE OF THE AUSTRALIAN FLORA. 135 



lessened ill miinber, judicious subdivisions devised, and that to 

 crown all,the aspirations of Browx, Bentham, andvONMUELLER 

 will be consummated in a perfect disposition of the orders. 

 In New South Wales there are many reasons why such things 

 may be hoped for, because in that, the oldest of the Austra- 

 lian colonies, the Linnean Society of the colony has already 

 done so much for the furtherance of botanical science, and 

 yet promises to do more. The Society may feel a just pride 

 in referring to the labours of such men as the hite Rev. J. E. 

 Tenison-Woods, Professor Stephens, Mr. C. S. Wilkinson, 

 F.G.S., and Sir Williaai Macleay, who by their writings, 

 as recorded in the Transactions of the Society, have contri- 

 buted so much to the study of natural history, whilst it must 

 be mentioned that the munificent benefactions and endow- 

 ments of the last naturahst have not merely eventuated in 

 the establishment of the 'Linnean Society of Sydney" on a 

 firm basis, but are designed to perpetuate for future genera- 

 tions the means of pursuing those researches with which the 

 name of Macleay must ever be associated. 



On the motion of the Chairman a cordial vote of thanks was accorded 

 to the author for his very able and interesting paper. 



Discussion. 



The Chairman, — Is it your pieasui-e to return thanks, I cannot 

 say to the author of this paper, but to his representative, and 

 particularly to Surgeon-General Gordon for his kindness in read- 

 ing it, the pleasure of listening to which has, I am sure, been 

 enhanced by the running paraphi'ase which he has thrown in from 

 his own individual experience ? We should be very happy to hear 

 any observations upon the subject of the paper from two geni:le- 

 men here who will pi'obably offer a few remarks, and from any 

 others who may be pleased to do so. The two gentlemen I refer 

 to are Sir Frederick Young and Mr. Petherwick. 



Sir Frederick Young. — Sir, ladies and gentlemen, I came here, 

 perhaps with some others in the room, not with a view of taking 

 any part in the discussion, but to leai'n a great deal from the 



