36 THE VICTORIAN XATURALIST. 



Ladies and Gentlemen, — We meet to-night upon the occasion 

 of om- fourth annual conversazione, and the duty devolves 

 upon me to inform you what we have done during the past 

 year, and to make a few remarks as to what it is proposed 

 to do in the year upon which we are now entering. When 

 the club was fiist formed it was felt to be an experiment 

 which might or might not succeed, but any fears that existed in 

 the early infancy of our club have been happily dissipated, as our 

 rapidly increasing numbers prove that we are regarded as one of 

 the institutions of the country. In a new country such as ours, 

 the inducements to observe nature in all her aspects are greater 

 than in older lands, because in addition to the charm to be derived 

 from the study itself there is here the stimulus of the possibility, 

 I may say the probability, of discovei'ing something not before 

 described. Again, on our excursion the different sections are 

 j)laced under the leadership of the best man in each that we can 

 find, and his assistance is invaluable to all of us wlio do not happen 

 to be so well informed. Then the search through a district liy 

 several is of course more complete than it could be wer-i only a 

 single individual engaged in it ; and although ysm may be unable 

 to find the particular specimen you may wish to procure, another 

 more fortunate companion may succeed in finding it in situ. Most 

 of us are engaged in occupations which confine us within doors, 

 and the mere ramble in the country for a few hour.-j is as good for 

 the body as it is for the mind of the intelligent observer. Last 

 Queen's Birthday was a very wet day, and the plans laid down for 

 the excursion, which included a long walk, had to be changed ; 

 but even then, duruig an hour or so of fine weather, Mr. Best was 

 enabled to give those of us who were present a considerable 

 amount of information upon the insects in and around Mordialloc, 

 so that the day was not wholly lost. Other excursions during the 

 year have been more fortunate. Socially, as well as scientifically, 

 such an institution as ours must act beneficially, as it brings into 

 closer and more intimate union those who are already held together 

 by the tie of affection for some scientific pursuit. The circle of 

 the sciences is so complete that hardly one can stand alone, and 

 the man who possesses a good microscope, and knows how to use 

 it, may be said to be a part and parcel of every science. For 

 instance, a good field geologist finds a piece of silicified wood or an 

 impression of a leaf or insect. Here he will have, unless he be a 

 highly accomplished student, to apply for aid to the botanist or 

 the entomologist, und these latter may have in their turn to apply 

 to a microscopist to aid them in identifying the specimens. This 

 illustration could be widely extended, but it is sufficient to explain 

 what I meant to point out, viz., that we are a sort of co-operative 

 association for scientific purposes. Like the bundle of sticks, we 

 are far stronger when united than when we rely upon our individual 

 strength. Our indefatigable secretary, Mr. Best, has kindly 



