37 



no royal road to the elucidation of such questions. The 

 workings of Nature are subtle, and their reasons often diffi- 

 cult to understand ; and it is by patient observation and 

 study of the phenomena that are constantly taking place 

 around us — happenings that are often apparently trivial in 

 themselves, but of far-reaching import as links in the chain 

 of evidence — that we may alone hope to arrive at a reasonable 

 understanding of these great problems. 



In conclusion, I should like to take this opportunity of 

 expressing my appreciation of the kindly assistance that I 

 have received from you all, in carrying out the duties of the 

 office to which you so generously appointed me, and to our 

 Honorary Secretaries, especially, are my thanks due. 



